Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mitigate earthworm-induced N₂O emissions without significantly reducing total nitrogen leaching losses in a subtropical soil

Abstract

Invasive earthworms can exacerbate soil N leaching and N₂O emissions, particularly in disturbed habitats with high populations. While earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can synergistically influence plant N uptake, it remains unclear whether AMF inoculation can mitigate earthworm-induced N loss. We conducted a two-way factorial microcosm experiment to evaluate the effects of the pantropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus and AMF (Rhizophagus intraradices) on soil N leaching and N₂O fluxes. We further employed ¹⁵NH₄¹⁵NO₃ labeling and qPCR to assess associated changes in nitrification and denitrification processes. P. corethrurus increased both N leaching and N₂O emissions, whereas AMF inoculation significantly reduced N₂O emissions and NH₄⁺ leaching. The ¹⁵N₂O patterns matched total N₂O fluxes, suggesting emissions primarily derived from nitrification and denitrification. Abundance of nitrification- (amoA, amoB,) and denitrification-related genes (nirK, nirS, nosZ) showed positive correlations with soil NH₄⁺ concentration and N₂O emissions, indicating that microbial functional potential is closely linked to inorganic N availability and N₂O emissions. AMF reduced these gene abundances, particularly in the rhizosphere, consistent with decreased NH₄⁺ leaching and N₂O emissions. These findings highlight the ecosystem risks posed by P. corethrurus and suggest AMF inoculation represents a promising strategy to mitigate earthworm-induced N₂O emissions in tropical and subtropical regions.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi / belowground biological interaction / earthworm invasion / soil N loss

Highlight

	● The pantropic invasive earthworm exacerbates soil N leaching and N2O emission.
	● AMF inoculation suppresses soil nitrification and denitrification processes.
	● AMF inoculation could mitigate soil N loss induced by the earthworm.

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