Felix Zimmermann

An ectomycorrhizal fungus alters developmental progression during endogenous rhythmic growth in pedunculate oak - Mycorrhiza Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), a long-lived forest tree species, forms symbiotic relationships with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, which can promote nutrient uptake, stress resilience, and growth. Like other tropical and temperate tree species, pedunculate oak exhibits endogenous rhythmic growth (ERG), a trait conferring the ability to repeatedly alternate root and shoot flushes as well as growth cessation as response to changing environmental conditions. However, the effects of different ECM fungal species on the ERG dynamics remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the impact of two ECM fungi—Piloderma croceum, a basidiomycete previously shown to promote growth while not found in natural oak stands, and Cenococcum geophilum, an oak-native ascomycete with broad ecological range—on growth performance, biomass partitioning, and ERG patterns in a clonal oak system (clone DF159). By combining in vitro experiments with Bayesian modelling, we show that P. croceum promotes tree growth among treatments, without disrupting the endogenous growth rhythm. In contrast, C. geophilum, while showing high mycorrhization rates, led to reduced biomass accumulation and altered developmental progression through the ERG stages, especially by prolonging the steady state development stage—part of the root flush and characterized by peak net carbon assimilation. Co-inoculation revealed a competitive advantage of C. geophilum in root colonization, yet growth responses resembled those of the control. Our findings demonstrate that ECM species exert species-specific effects on biomass production and temporal development of plants, underscoring the functional importance of ECM fungi in shaping host development. Assessing these interactions provides new insights into the functional diversity of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis and can inform forest management strategies aimed at enhanced resilience in oak-dominated ecosystems under rapidly changing climatic conditions.

An ectomycorrhizal fungus alters developmental progression during endogenous rhythmic growth in pedunculate oak

Now published in Mycorrhiza, journal of the @mycorrhizaims.bsky.social

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

11.10.2025 10:35 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Swiss Alps seen from Neuchatel

Excited to do a postdoc in beautiful Neuchatel / Switzerland🇨🇭?

We have several postdoc positions open at the moment!

Check our website for the full ads here: pathogen-genomics.org/jobs

Happy to answer any question and please spread the word to anyone who might be interested!

25.04.2025 11:20 — 👍 75    🔁 65    💬 1    📌 4

Lake Neuchatel and the Swiss Alps

Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA)

Excited by fungi, genomes, transposons, sustainable agriculture, microbiomes or other topics?

Looking for a friendly and interactive lab located in one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland? 🇨🇭⛰️⛵

Get in touch and please share!

pathogen-genomics.org

09.04.2025 14:27 — 👍 24    🔁 14    💬 1    📌 1

Genetische Vielfalt bei Eichen-Saatgut: Empfehlungen für die Praxis Genetische Vielfalt ist Grundvoraussetzung dafür, dass sich Arten an sich ändernde klimatische Bedingungen anpassen und gegenüber extremen Umweltereignissen widerstandsfähig sind. Bei der künstlichen ...

"... at least 20 to 40 mother trees... & 100 acorns per tree covers the genetic diversity of the seeds of a crop well... as many mother trees as possible"

Practical guidance from @christian-rellstab.bsky.social : optimizing acorn collection for genetic diversity.

www.waldwissen.net/de/waldwirts...

22.02.2025 11:05 — 👍 7    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0

Soil properties – water availability and pH – are strongly associated to the spatial distribution of two hybridizing and sympatric oak species (Quercus spp) at local stand scale.

w/@felix-zimmermann.bsky.social, @christian-rellstab.bsky.social

doi.org/10.1111/eva.70076

07.02.2025 11:21 — 👍 6    🔁 5    💬 0    📌 0

new paper in @evolappjournal.bsky.social with @felix-zimmermann.bsky.social !

Soil properties – water availability and pH – are strongly associated to the spatial distribution of two hybridizing and sympatric oak species (Quercus spp) at local stand scale.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

07.02.2025 09:00 — 👍 12    🔁 6    💬 0    📌 0

Image of a twisted old oak tree (Quercus petraea) on a grassy hillside

EVOLTREE - Europe's network for researchers in forest ecology, evolution, genetics & genomics - has joined Bluesky. Follow us here for news on events, training courses, and funding opportunities ...... see evoltree.eu for more!

04.12.2024 15:31 — 👍 10    🔁 5    💬 0    📌 0

Principles of experimental design for ecology and evolution Here I argue that we do not discuss experimental design, often until it is too late. This editorial seeks to begin a conversation about how and where to replicate appropriately.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

20.12.2024 16:26 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Our first starter pack is here! A list of members and alumni of @wslresearch.bsky.social working on biodiversity research and outreach. It will updated as more people join.
Let us know if you'd like to be added.
go.bsky.app/3Gzw93e

18.11.2024 14:27 — 👍 12    🔁 6    💬 0    📌 1

Would love to be added. Working on genomics of ECM.

18.11.2024 07:29 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0