Experimental data on grassland community response to exclusion of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis using fungicide benomyl and to phosphate addition were evaluated after four years of continued manipulation using multivariate direct gradient analysis. While the community responded only to phosphare application in the third year (phosphate application suppressing forbs in favour of graminoids), the data from the fourth season indicate relative suppression of some forbs (including Plantago lanceolata, Cerastium holesteoides) with both phosphate and fungicide applications. Positive response of graminoids to phosphate addition seems to interact with fungicide application, while an important community constituent - Achillea millefolium - seems to profit primarily from fungicide applications. The effect of the fungicide on the AM symbiosis was confirmed on roots of Planiago lanceolata. The direct evaluation of frequency of AM fungal structures in plant roots also revealed a diverse response of different plant species to phosphate application. Nevertheless, in ail species (except non-mycorrhizal Luzula campestris), phosphate decreased the frequency of arbuscules and increased the frequency of non-infected root segments.