Coal has been the primary source of energy for a long time in China. However, as the primary mining method in northwest China, underground mining causes severe land degradation and soil erosion in mining subsidence areas (Lechner et al. 2016; Wang et al. 2017). The reconstruction of vegetation is an effective way to reduce runoff and soil erosion and is key to restoring ecosystems in ecologically sensitive regions (Jia et al. 2020). Microbial remediation technology is considered an efficient and low-cost ecological remediation method. A previous study has shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were crucial for vegetation restoration, significantly enhanced the long-term success of mine site reclamation, and promoted the formation of an eco-environment. (Levy and Cumming 2014; Bi et al. 2018, 2019, 2020; Zhang et al. 2020). Therefore, determining how AMF inoculation alters plant growth is vital for promoting sustainable development and ecological restoration in the reclaimed mining area.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi establish symbiotic associations with 90% of the terrestrial plant species. These associations are successfully developed within roots and extend into the soil, allowing for mineral nutrients to be assimilated by hyphae and transported to the host plants (Allen and Allen 1980; Mehrotra 1998; Püschel et al. 2008; Levy and Cumming 2014). In turn, the obligate symbionts received carbohydrates from the host plants (Augé 2001; Püschel et al. 2008; Smith et al. 2010). Fungal hyphae improve soil moisture by increasing the contact area between soil and roots, leading to higher organic agent excretion and more significant soil aggregate formation (Augé 2001; Kaschuk et al. 2009; Smith et al. 2010). Moreover, numerous studies reported that the AM fungi affected plant morphology, especially roots (Espeleta et al. 2009; Carminati 2013). Thus, AM symbionts reinforce soil structure, water and nutrient utilization, and photosynthesis in adverse environments (Heinemeyer et al. 2004; Landis et al. 2004, 2005; Hodge and Fitter 2010; Becklin et al. 2012; Binu et al. 2015).

Prunus sibirica L. is a type of shrub with ornamental and medicinal value, and ecological function, mainly distributed in northwest China. This species plays a vital role in the defense against wind and soil erosion and is considered an economic revegetation species that is widely used in the land reclamation of mining areas. Prunus sibirica L. is an economic tree species that is utilized in land reclamation of mining areas. It grows fast and is reasonably tolerant to drought-prone areas, which is particularly suitable for the revegetation of coal mining subsidence areas.

Light is a principal factor that stimulates photosynthetic activities, and various suitable conditions influence photosynthesis in response to different light intensities (Lichtenthaler et al. 1981). Depending on the amounts of light available during growth, plants possess the ability to react with two distinctive growth-responses in natural ecosystems. These include the strong light growth-response as found at high quanta affluence rates with sun leaves of trees or high light plants; and the weak-light growth-response, which is seen in shade leaves and low light plants (Boardman 1977). The ability of plants and chloroplasts to adapt to light is central to the basic growth-response associated with specific changes in morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and leaf and chloroplast structure (Yu et al. 1994; Heinemeyer et al. 2004; Yan et al. 2004).

Compared with the shade plants, high light plant leaves are often characterized by thicker and small leaf area, longer palisade cells, a higher cutin, lipid, and starch content per dry weight, a higher dry weight per leaf and leaf area unit, on average. There is also a higher chloroplast and carotenoid content (per unit leaf area), but lower levels on a dry weight basis, a higher prenylquinone content, a higher stomata density, a higher chloroplast content, increased CO₂-fixation rates and higher light saturation of photosynthesis, and higher soluble carbohydrates and respiration rates (Lichtenthaler et al. 1981; Yu et al. 1994; Boardman 1977; Heinemeyer et al. 2004; Yan et al. 2004). However, the photosynthetic apparatus of sun leaves is adapted for high rates of photosynthetic light quanta conversion. It exhibits a higher photosynthetic capacity on a chlorophyll and chloroplast basis and different chemical composition and ultrastructure than the shade-type chloroplast of shade leaves (Boardman 1977; Lichtenthaler et al. 1981). Thus, the appropriate light intensity helps plants allocate photosynthetic products in above- or below-ground portions, partly facilitating root length elongation and leaf expansion (Wielicki et al. 1995). In turn, strong light results in leaf scorch, or weak light induces flower abscissions, which indirectly delay photosynthesis and G_s (Kubien et al. 2003; Niinemets and Valladares 2004). Particularly, light threatens growth, especially in seriously desertified areas, and has become a significant challenge for species production (Wielicki et al. 1995; Niinemets 2007).

However, how these symbionts affect plant organ growth and photosynthetic characteristics under different light conditions remains mostly unexplored. Thus, it is necessary to investigate relationships between growth and P_n upon AM fungi and shade interactions in specific locations. In the present study, apricot was widely distributed in northwest China in the desterilized areas. Because of large fluctuations in light intensity, apricot was treated with AM inoculum and shade to alleviate the negative effect on species growth. The goal of this study was to address: (i) how AM fungi regulated apricot growth, specifically roots and leaves, productivity, or nutrients; and (ii) how different shade levels affected photosynthetic parameters.

2.1 Study location

Fieldwork with apricot seedlings (Prunus sibirica L.) was conducted April 1, 2010 to October 30, 2015 in the coal mining subsidence area (39° 18′ 42″ N, 110° 4′ 16″ E) located in Daliuta Town, Shenmu County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, northwest China (Fig. 1). This study site is located at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level (m.a.s.l), which is a typical provincial junction of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia as well as Mu Us desert, the south margin of the Loess Plateau transition zone. According to Shenmu County Meteorological Station, about 70% of precipitation in this area falls from June to September, and the 10-year average total precipitation and potential evaporation are 150 and 2000 mm, respectively. The study site has a typically arid continental climate, with a mean annual temperature of 8 °C. Cumulative temperatures above 0 °C and 10 °C are 3,550 °C and 3,210 °C, respectively. The annual frost-free period is 150 days, and the total solar radiation is 6000 MJ/m per year. Soil, consisting of 75% sand, 22% silt, and 3% clay, is classified as Aeolian sandy (FAO/UNESCO 1988), and its physicochemical properties in the soil (0–20 cm) are as follows: pH 7.9 (1:2.5 for soil: distilled water), soil organic matter (SOM) 4.5 g/kg, total nitrogen (N) 0.21 g/kg, Olsen phosphorus (P) 5.3 mg/kg and available potassium (K) 37.8 mg/kg.

Sampling site in Daliuta Town, Shenmu County, Shaanxi Province, China

2.2 Preparation of AM fungal inoculum

AM fungal spores were collected in the dry season from the rhizosphere of Siberian apricot seedlings by the wet sieving and decanting method. Most spores belonged to the Funneliformis mosseae BGCXJ01. Spores were cultured on plants of maize (Zea mays L.) and maintained for 12 weeks. AM fungal inoculum added to apricot seedlings consisted of sandy soils, spores (15–20 spores/g), colonized root fragments (40 root fragments per gram of AM fungal inoculum and 85% root colonization rate), and external mycelium. Moreover, 100 g of AM fungal inoculum was added near individual apricot seedling roots. To minimize the indigenous microorganism-induced effects on seedlings, non-mycorrhizal seedlings were also given sterilized inoculum autoclaved at 121 °C for 2 h. Additionally, to minimize natural environmental variation, the culture soil was excavated from a similar habitat where apricots naturally grow. The apparatus, such as a spade, bag, and balance, were wiped and sterilized using 95% ethyl alcohol solution before AM fungal inoculation.

2.3 Experimental design and management

A three-factor, completely randomized experimental design was used in this study. The first factor was AM fungus inoculum, including two inoculation levels (0 or 100 g of AM fungal inoculum per seedling). The second factor was light intensity, including three shade levels NS (natural shade), LS (light shade), and DS (deep shade) were 1900, 1100, and 550 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively), and the third factor was the transplanted apricot age (1, 3, and 5 years). Therefore, there were 18 experimental treatments with 54 field plots, including two AM fungus inoculum levels, three light shade levels, and three transplantation ages (Table 1). Each treatment included three replicates, with an area of 240 m² for each plot (12 m × 20 m) (Fig. S1). Each plot consisted of six rows, with 10 seedlings per row at a row spacing of 2 m, to minimize mutual interference.

Each shade plot was supported by wooden pillars (2 m tall) in four corners and covered with black shade nylon mesh on top of pillars, and light intensity was measured using a PR1010 spectral radiometer (Macam Photometeric Ltd., Livingston, UK). Two photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) sensors were placed in each plot. Light intensity was recorded every 30 min in shade plots using a small weather station (Delta-T Devices Ltd., Cambridge, UK) on cloudless and windless days in July as reference data. Soil surface temperature was monitored using thermometer probes (Delta-T Devices Ltd.). The experimental field was not given chemical fertilizer or manure, which suggested that no extra available nutrients were provided. When apricot seedlings reached 40 cm in height, and the crown diameter was 1 cm, seedlings were obtained from the Shenmu Country Forest Department and transplanted into the experimental field. The daily temperature was 8–10 °C during the transplantation period, and relative humidity was 15% at the end of March 2010. Initially, the location was dominated by Clematis fruticosa and other shrub species, which were occasionally cut to minimize the effects of weeds on apricot seedling growth.

2.4 Measurement of apricot seedling traits

Apricot seedlings were harvested on July, 2011, July, 2013, and July, 2015. Seedling size, biomass, and growth were determined as follows: the total shoot height and root collar diameter were measured using a graduated meter and digital caliper, respectively. The number of fully developed leaves was assessed to determine the effect of shade on seedling development, and leaf surface area was measured using a leaf area meter (ADC Bio-Scientific). Apricot seedlings were excavated and divided into coarse or fine roots, stems, and leaves. Subsequently, raw materials were oven-dried at 75 °C to a constant weight, and the corresponding dry mass was measured and averaged. Finally, mass fractions of apricot seedling leaves, stems, fine (< 2 mm in diameter) and coarse (> 2 mm in diameter) roots [(dry mass·dry plant mass⁻¹, g g⁻¹)], leaf area ratio [leaf area (cm²)·plant dry mass⁻¹ (g⁻¹)], specific leaf area [leaf area (cm²)·leaf dry mass⁻¹ (g⁻¹)] and root/shoot ratio were calculated according to the Hunt’s (1997) method (Hunt and Cornelissen 1997). The total root length was estimated using the gridline intersection method (Tennant 1975).

2.5 Sampling and determination of seedlings

Apricot seedling mineral status in shoots and roots was determined. After seedling fractions were naturally dried, the raw materials were oven-dried at 75 °C for 48 h and ground. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content in different plant material parts was oven-dried and determined after digestion in a mixture of concentrated H₂SO₄ and H₂O₂. N content was measured using the micro-Kjeldahl procedure with 5 mL digestion solution, P content was determined using the vanadomolydate method, and K content was examined using flame photometry (Wang et al. 2015).

2.6 AM colonization

The calculation of AM colonization was used in the gridline intersection method (Giovannetti and Mosse 1980). Root sub-samples (non-supersized) were collected, cleared with 10% KOH solution, and stained with 0.01% trypan blue in lacto-glycerol (Brundrett 2004). Then the roots were cut into 1 cm pieces, and nine root pieces were mounted lengthwise on a microscope slide and examined at three (400× magnification) locations (top, middle, and bottom) for each replicate. The colonization rate was calculated as the percentage of colonized root length. Total fractional colonization and those of arbuscules, vesicles, and internal hyphae in the root cortex were recorded. In addition, mycorrhizal responsiveness was expressed as the ratio of the total dry weight of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. The shade treatment response index was calculated as the ratio of the total dry weight of species exposed to natural light and species under shade conditions.

2.7 Leaf gas exchange measurements

Six apricot seedlings were measured in each plot. Gas exchange was measured using a portable photosynthesis system (Li-6400; Li-Cor Inc., Lincoln, NE, USA), including P_n, G_s, T_r, and intercellular CO₂ concentration with fully expanded sun-exposed leaves on clear, cloudless, and windless days. The system was operated in an open flow mode with 6 cm² leaf chambers and an integrated CO₂ supply system, which should be performed in a steady-state under conditions of saturated light intensity (1200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and 400 ppm CO₂. Midday air temperature ranged from 26 to 35 °C, and water vapor pressure ranged from 1.5 to 3 kPa. Specifically, diurnal net assimilation and G_s, together with micro-climate variables such as photosynthetic quantum flux density, air and leaf temperatures, relative humidity, and ambient CO₂ concentration, of three to four sunlit leaves were measured in situ every 30 min from early morning to sunset. The leaf chamber was attached to the Peltier-cooling system immediately before measurement to maintain near ambient chamber temperature. The sunlit leaves were randomly selected using the following criteria: (i) leaves were located at the outer portions of a branch on the upper canopy; (ii) leaves were intact and undamaged; and (iii) leaves were similar to surrounding leaves. After the measurements were completed, the monitored leaves were harvested, and leaf area was measured using a leaf area meter (Li-3100; Li-Cor Inc.). A sub-sample was then punched out from leaf lamina to determine leaf mass per area (LMA, g/m²) (1.5 cm in diameter leaf discs) after drying at 75 °C.

2.8 Statistical analysis

Before statistical analysis, data normality and homoscedasticity were tested using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and square root or natural-log transformation was used as necessary. The potential effects of three main factors on apricot seedlings were tested. A three-way analysis was used to evaluate the significance among AM fungi, shade, and age. A two-way ANOVA was applied for two random factors of apricot seedling traits, including AM fungi and shade, AM fungi and age, or shade and age interactions with least significant differences (LSD) for multiple comparisons at P < 0.05. Specifically, repeated-measured ANOVA was used to examine the effect of transplantation age on all the monitored parameters. Multiple comparisons were performed using SAS 8.0 (SAS Campus Drive Cary, NC, USA) by LSD at P < 0.05. The figures were obtained using Sigma-Plot 11.0 (San Jose, CA, USA).

3.1 Morphological characteristics of seedlings

Most plant functions were significantly affected by the presence of mycorrhizae and seedling age, while the shade did not cause significant variations in most plant functions. However, interactions between mycorrhizae and shade significantly affected several traits, which were related to performance of below-ground plant parts (Table 2). Apricot seedlings were shade-responsive and seedlings with NS and DS response index were 8%–15% and 5%–16% smaller than non-mycorrhizal or mycorrhizal seedlings, respectively, and the shade responsiveness was much higher in LS (Fig. 2). For the three transplantation ages with mycorrhiza seedlings, the mycorrhizal responsiveness was around 60% for seedlings exposed to LS, and it was only around 40% of mycorrhizal responsiveness for NS or DS. Mycorrhizal responsiveness was increased when the experimental duration was extended. Both larger leaf area and higher P_n per unit contributed to an increase in seedling dry mass. Higher P_n was consistent with higher N and P fractions in mycorrhizal seedlings. Root dry mass of mycorrhizal seedlings was 42% higher than non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Significant interactions existed between LS and mycorrhiza.

Effects of AMF and shade treatment on apricot seedling mass (mean ± SD). Arbuscular mycorrhizal treatment (+ AMF) is compared with inoculation without AMF (− AMF), and a light shade (LS) and a deep shade (DS) are compared with natural light (NS) in the growing stage. Consequently, there were significant differences in seedling biomass between the 1, 3, and 5 year groups. Different capital letters indicate significant differences among transplant age; different lowercase letters (per transplanted age) indicate significant differences between treatments in the same year (P < 0.05)

3.2 Plant nutrients

Nutrient mass fractions in shoots and roots were significantly associated with transplantation ages (N, P, and K) and mycorrhiza (P and K) (Table S1). P and K mass fractions in roots were higher compared with mycorrhiza seedling shoots. Interactions between mycorrhiza and shade were significant for N, P, and K in shoots and roots, the interaction between age and mycorrhiza was significant for N in shoots and P in roots, the interaction between age and shade was significant for N in roots, and the interaction among seedling age, mycorrhiza and shade was significant for K in shoots (Table S1). Overall, apricot seedlings had greater N, P, and K mass fractions in roots compared with their corresponding shoots.

3.3 AM fungal colonization

Apricot seedlings with shade at different transplantation ages were responsive to mycorrhiza. Arbuscular, hyphal colonization, and mycorrhizal root length were significantly higher in the 5th year compared with the 1st or 3rd year (Table 3).

3.4 Gas exchange

Apricot transplantation age, mycorrhizae, and shade were all significant sources of variation for G_s, and the interactions between age and shade or between mycorrhiza and shade were also significant (Table S1). P_n and WUE of the 5th year seedlings were significantly affected by mycorrhiza, shade, and interaction (Table 4). T_r was also affected by mycorrhiza or shade, and their interaction was highly significant. Mycorrhizal seedlings with NS had significantly lower P_n and T_r than LS or DS did, and demonstrated opposing trends in G_s (Table 4). Similarly, the WUE of mycorrhizal seedlings was greater than that of non-mycorrhizal seedlings, and in LS it was higher compared with NS or DS (Table 4). Moreover, the G_s of mycorrhizal seedlings was higher than that of non-mycorrhizal seedlings at each shade level. The G_s and WUE were moderately negatively correlated, and significant differences were observed in the apricot leaf area (at the same age) with different treatments (Table 4).

In the present study, AM fungal symbiosis exerted a positive effect on apricot seedling growth. Higher mycorrhizal responsiveness of apricot seedlings in the coalfields was observed, especially for LS. N, P, and K mass fractions in the shoots and roots of mycorrhizal seedlings were higher than those of non-mycorrhizal seedlings, suggesting that such positive mycorrhizal effects were caused by nutrition. Moreover, the beneficial effect of AM fungal symbiosis was greater in LS than in NS or DS conditions.

NS or DS had a relatively negative effect on non-mycorrhizal seedlings. While LS improved mycorrhizal seedling performance compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings and this effect became stronger over time. This result confirmed that mycorrhizal symbiosis played an essential role in cases where there was unpredictable light intensity. Both leaf area and P_n were greatest in mycorrhizal seedlings experiencing LS because AM fungal symbiosis significantly increases root biomass and root length, resulting in increased nutrient storage (Porras-Soriano et al. 2009). Storage of nutrients by seedlings can maintain their stomata open, increasing P_n and T_r. Mycorrhizal fungus, combined with LS, triggered the major changes in leaf area, root biomass, and P_n, which positively affects the growth of plants (Cutlan et al. 1997; Erhioui et al. 1997).

Besides larger seedlings and improved nutrient storage of mycorrhizal seedlings, we noted an increase in assimilation (in combination with LS), G_s, and T_r. This phenomenon has been repeatedly observed because significantly higher nutrient was found in the mycorrhizal plants (Chapin et al. 1987; Augé 2001; BassiriRad et al. 2001). For instance, Querejeta et al. (2003) found that AM fungi enhanced G_s levels in the slow-growing Olea europaea L. ssp. sylvestris compared with the fast-growing Rhamnus lycioides, suggesting that this species can survive in adverse environments (Querejeta et al. 2003). Moreover, non-mycorrhizal plants have lower photosynthetic activity and light-saturated G_s in grasslands (Pierik et al. 2006; Valladares et al. 2007). The deep shade reduced P_n in non-mycorrhizal compared with mycorrhizal seedlings. AM fungal symbiosis conferred resistance to light reduction, and higher leaf stomatal closing capacity was an adaptive mechanism of shade. Similarly, both herbs and shrubs affect stomatal changes under deep light intensity (Kim et al. 2011). Moreover, Baruch and Goldstein (1999) noted that G_s strongly increased in shade-adapted species compared with other species. The increase in G_s of shade-adapted mycorrhizal species is consistent with greater nutrient facilitation (Baruch and Goldstein 1999). A significant effect of AM fungal species has also been reported by Schaffer and Mason (1990).

The G_s in mycorrhizal plants increased more than in non-mycorrhizal plants, which would be generally translated into increases in P_n. Moreover, the mycorrhizal plant had remarkably higher T_r with LS compared with non-mycorrhizal plants, which improved WUE. Considering the complex structure of roots, it was likely that roots had a higher WUE because of more fine root hairs. Furthermore, LS increased G_s and assimilation, but the increase in T_r was smaller. Consequently, WUE was higher compared with non-mycorrhizal plants with LS.

Mycorrhizal seedling P_n was enhanced by 17.2%, and greater carbon fractions were allocated to soil (Wang et al. 2016). Similarly, mycorrhizal seedlings stored more resources in roots as a nutrient circulation or conservation strategy. Simard et al. (2012) also showed that mycorrhizal oak savanna has more photosynthetic products and a greater amount of substance transported from leaves to roots, subsequently benefiting the mycelium of mycorrhizal fungi. Molecular evidence indicated that shaded seedlings had changes in the expression of critical transporters, MdARF6 and MdARF106, which possess greater nutrients or photosynthetic products (Dash et al. 2012). Therefore, this was able to explain the storage of nutrients or carbohydrate production in roots or shoots. Moreover, mycorrhizal had significantly higher T_r compared with non-mycorrhizal plants, and hyphae transported nutrients to roots, which also maintained mycorrhizal colonization, similar to that observed in greenhouse-grown plants (Cozzolino et al. 2016).

Suitable light intensities could help mycorrhizal seedlings to sequester resources in the next growing season compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings because apricot leaves fall back into the soil during the winter season, increasing nutrient amounts (especially for carbon storage). A similar behavior has been observed in eucalypt trees (Jackson and Ash 2001). Therefore, more robust growth further improved the carbon and nutrient cycle in seedlings, where mycorrhiza accelerated the land reclamation process, and this finally reached an optimal status that benefited the coalfield ecology.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis with LS enhanced productivity and nutrients in leaves and roots as well as seedling performance. Interaction studies showed that LS benefited mycorrhizal apricot seedlings. Briefly, LS enhanced leaf area and nutrient storage in mycorrhizal seedlings, resulting in the highest assimilation rate. Similarly, WUE and T_r were also increased in mycorrhizal species. Moreover, AM symbiosis led to greater resource-storage in roots and facilitated the restoration of subsidence land. Therefore, AM fungi were greatly associated with nutrient gain, and this allowed for greater resources to offset the negative influences. This practice is essential for the sustainable management of ecologically important species and provides new ideas for plant-soil interactions. Future studies should investigate how interactions between AM fungi and shade affect competition among different species.