Fig. 2

Mycorrhiza-rich hyphal samples host a bacterial microbiome that is distinct from their surrounding soil. A Schematic representation of the 5-compartment microcosm in Experiment II. All compartments were filled with 30% non-sterilized organic soil (OS), mixed with Oil-Dri and sand. Roots are contained in COMP3 by 30-µm filters (white dashed lines), whereas extraradical AM hyphae are restricted from COMP1 and 2 by 1-µm filters (green dashed line). B PCoA of fungal communities using Bray–Curtis distances in root, soil and hyphal samples of plants growing in OS. C PCoA of bacterial communities in root, soil, and hyphal samples of plants growing in OS. Colors in (B) and (C) indicate different sample types. Shapes in (B) and (C) depict different compartments. D Relative abundance of fungal phyla in root (COMP3), soil (COMP1 to 5) and hyphal samples (COMP5) in Experiment II. Colors represent the distinct phyla. Phyla with relative abundance below 1% were aggregated and categorized as lowly abundant. E Relative abundance of Glomeromycota spp. in root, soil and hyphal samples in Experiment II. Colors represents the distinct AM fungal species