The invasive plant, Brassica nigra,degrades local mycorrhizas across a wide geographical landscape

Abstract

Disruption of mycorrhizal fungi that form symbioses with local native plants is a strategy used by some invasive exotic plants for competing within their resident communities. Example invasive plants include Alliaria petiolata(garlic mustard) and Brassica nigra(black mustard), both non-mycorrhizal plants in the Family Brassicaceae. Although there is clear evidence for mycorrhizal degradation, it is not known if such an effect is widespread across the naturalized range.