Roots Dominate Over Extraradical Hyphae in Driving Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation During Tropical Forest Succession

Abstract

Plant roots and their mycorrhizal symbionts regulate soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in tropical forests, where succession-driven shifts in mycorrhizal associations alter carbon allocation patterns. However, the relative contributions of roots versus extraradical mycorrhizal hyphae to SOC accumulation and decomposition across forest succession remain unclear. Using a 2-year isotopic ingrowth-core field experiment along a tropical forest chronosequence (70–400 years), we quantified the roles of roots and extraradical hyphae in new SOC accumulation and priming effects. After 2 years, roots contributed nearly four times more to SOC accumulation than hyphae across tropical forest succession. Roots enhanced new SOC accumulation while suppressing the positive priming effect on native SOC, leading to a net gain of 1.6 mg C g⁻¹ soil yr.⁻¹, predominantly as particulate organic carbon. In contrast, extraradical hyphae had a marginal effect, contributing only 0.4 mg C g⁻¹ soil yr.⁻¹. Root-driven SOC input peaked in early succession, whereas hyphal contributions remained consistent. Our findings highlight the dominant role of roots—rather than mycorrhizal hyphae—in SOC accumulation and stabilization during tropical forest succession, emphasizing the need to incorporate root traits into management strategies to enhance SOC sequestration, particularly in tropical forests under increasing land-use pressures.