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Whilst transgenerational effects (TGE) of abiotic conditions are becoming generally accepted in plants, those of biotic interactions remain largely unexplored. We therefore investigated the influence of TGE due to arbuscular mycorrhiza, the most widespread mutualistic interaction of plants with microorganisms, on clonal and sexual offspring of Fragaria vesca. We hypothesized that the ecological and evolutionary significance of TGE will vary between clonal and sexual offspring based on mycorrhizal status and phosphorus (P) availability experienced by the parent. In a two‐generation greenhouse experiment, parental plants were exposed to full‐factorial combinations of mycorrhizal status and high or low P availability. TGE on mycorrhiza establishment and plant performance were evaluated in their clonal and sexual offspring, which experienced the parental or all non‐parental environments. Consistently in both generations, mycorrhiza improved plant growth at low P availability, but had no or even negative effect at high P availability, concomitantly with decreased root colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus. TGE due to mycorrhiza was generally stronger in sexually derived offspring, both on mycorrhiza formation and plant growth. In sexual offspring, parental mycorrhizal status was adaptive if the offspring's mycorrhizal status was of disadvantage: for mycorrhizal offspring growing in high P availability and for non‐mycorrhizal offspring at low P availability. Synthesis: Our results suggest that clonal and sexual reproduction are under different evolutionary pressures, leading to the development of stronger TGE mechanisms in response to mycorrhizal symbiosis in the latter. The complexity of the observed effects highlights the need for disentangling the mechanisms contributing to the TGE in clonal and sexual reproduction. Our study underlines the importance of considering reproductive strategies and the interplay between environmental factors and TGE in understanding the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant–symbiotic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mycorrhizal associations are key mutualisms that shape the structure of forest communities and multiple ecosystem functions. However, we lack a framework for predicting the varying dominance of distinct mycorrhizal associations in an integrated proxy of multifunctionality across ecosystems.Here, we used the datasets containing diversity of mycorrhizal associations and 18 ecosystem processes related to supporting, provisioning, and regulating services to examine how the dominance of ectomycorrhiza (EcM) associations affects ecosystem multifunctionality in subtropical mountain forests in Southwest China. Meanwhile, we synthesized the prevalence of EcM‐dominant effects on ecosystem functioning in forest biomes.Our results demonstrated that elevation significantly modified the distributions of EcM trees and fungal dominance, which in turn influenced multiple functions simultaneously. Multifunctionality increased with increasing proportion of EcM associations, supporting the ectomycorrhizal‐dominance hypothesis. Meanwhile, we observed that the impacts of EcM dominance on individual ecosystem functions exhibited different relationships among forest biomes.Our findings highlight the importance of ectomycorrhizal dominance in regulating multifunctionality in subtropical forests. However, this ectomycorrhizal feedback in shaping ecosystem functions cannot necessarily be generalized across forests. Therefore, we argue that the predictions for ecosystem multifunctionality in response to the shifts of mycorrhizal composition could vary across space and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Plants express diverse nutrient use and acquisition traits, but it is unclear how trait combinations at the species level are constrained by phylogeny, trait coordination, or trade‐offs in resource investment. One trait – nitrogen (N) fixation – is assumed to correlate with other traits and used to define plant functional groups, despite potential confounding effects of phylogeny.We quantified growth, carbon metabolism, fixation rate, root phosphatase activity (RPA), mycorrhizal colonization, and leaf and root morphology/chemistry across 22 species of fixing and nonfixing tropical Fabaceae trees under common conditions.Belowground trait variation was high even among closely related species, and most traits displayed a phylogenetic signal, including N‐fixation rate and nodule biomass. Across species, we observed strong positive correlations between physiological traits such as RPA and root respiration. RPA increased ~ fourfold per unit increase in fixation, supporting the debated hypothesis that N‐fixers 'trade' N for phosphatases to enhance phosphorus acquisition. Specific root length and root N differed between functional groups, though for other traits, apparent differences became nonsignificant after accounting for phylogenetic nonindependence.We conclude that evolutionary history, trait coordination, and fixation ability contribute to nutrient trait expression at the species level, and recommend explicitly considering phylogeny in analyses of functional groupings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival and productivity of potato plantlets transplanted from in vitro to commercial hydroponic minituber culture are crucial. Mycorrhizal fungi are an efficient tool to enhance potato nutrient uptake, survival, and productivity under these conditions. This study aimed to assess the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on improving the yield of minitubers and nutrient uptake in potatoes transferred from the in vitro environment to the greenhouse. This study was conducted in a greenhouse in Hamadan province, I.R. Iran, in 2013. The experimental design was factorial, including treatments with and without inoculation with the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis and varying phosphorus (P) concentrations in Hoagland's solution (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of its maximum content, i.e. 0.965, 0.482, 0.241, and 0.12 mM H2PO4-) with three replications on potato plantlets transferred from in vitro to pots. The results indicated that the highest colonization percentage was achieved with 25% P and inoculation. The highest number of minitubers (8.9), total minituber weight per plant (53.2 grams), plant height (54.6 cm), minituber (0.38%) and leaf (0.363%) P content, minituber (33 mg/kg) and leaf (65 mg/kg) manganese (Mn) content, and minituber (38 mg/kg) and leaf (65 mg/kg) zinc (Zn) content were obtained with inoculation and 75% P of Hoagland nutrient solution, which was statistically comparable to the inoculation with 100% P treatment. In summary, inoculating potato plantlets with mycorrhiza can enhance minituber yield and nutrient uptake and potentially replace approximately 50% of the P requirement in hydroponic solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine root stoichiometry characterizes nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Mycorrhizae are major regulators of plant carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrients. However, our understanding of the fine root stoichiometry at the global scale and their driving role by mycorrhizae is extremely limited. This study used global data to explore the stoichiometry of fine root C, N, P and their relationships with climatic factors across different mycorrhizal statuses and types. The results showed that obligately mycorrhizal (OM) species (always form mycorrhizae) had significantly higher fine root N contents (12.66 mg/g), while non-mycorrhizal (NM) species had significantly higher fine root P contents (1.50 mg/g). Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) plants had significantly lower fine root C contents (443.11 mg/g) and higher fine root N contents (13.55 mg/g). AM + ECM plants had significantly higher fine root C/N, root C/P, and root N/P. Mycorrhiza had a positive effect on fine roots N, with AM having the most pronounced positive effect. The correlation between the elements of fine roots was more pronounced among OM and AM plants. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual temperature (MAT) had positive effects on C in OM plants, with the most pronounced positive effects on C in ECM plants. MAP and MAT had negative effects on C in FM plants. MAT had a positive effect on N in NM plants, but a negative effect on P in OM plants. Our study revealed biogeographic patterns of global fine root C:N:P stoichiometry and advanced our understanding of fine root biogeochemical cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency of consecutive drought years is predicted to increase due to climate change. These droughts have strong negative impacts on forest ecosystems. Mixing tree species is proposed to increase the drought resistance and resilience of tree communities. However, this promising diversity effect has not yet been investigated under extreme drought conditions and in the context of complementary mycorrhizal associations and their potential role in improving water uptake.Here, we investigate whether tree diversity promotes growth resistance and resilience to extreme drought and whether drought responses are modulated by mycorrhizal associations. We used inventory data (2015–2021) from a young tree diversity experiment in Germany, manipulating tree species richness (1, 2 and 4 species) and mycorrhizal type (communities containing arbuscular mycorrhizal [AM] or ectomycorrhizal [EM] tree species, or both). For all tree communities, we calculated basal area increment in the periods before, during and after drought and used the concepts of resistance and resilience to quantify growth responses to drought.We found strong growth declines during the extreme 2018–2020 drought for most tree communities. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find that tree species richness per se can buffer the negative impacts of extreme drought on tree growth. However, while for EM communities, drought resistance and resilience decreased with tree species richness, they increased for AM communities and communities comprising both mycorrhizal types. We highlight that among various mixtures of tree species, only those with mixed mycorrhizal types outperformed their respective monocultures during and after drought. Furthermore, under extreme drought, the community tends to segregate into 'winner' and 'loser' tree species in terms of diversity, indicating a possible intensification of competition.While we cannot disentangle the underlying mechanisms or clarify the role of mycorrhiza during drought, our findings suggest that mixtures of mycorrhizal types within tree communities could help safeguard forests against increasing drought frequency.Synthesis. Drought resistance and resilience of tree communities depend on tree diversity and mycorrhizal association types. Mixing tree species with diverse mycorrhizal types holds promise for forest restoration in the face of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of LysM receptors, specifically LYS6 and LYS7, in regulating arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) in Lotus japonicus. AM is a beneficial interaction between plants and fungi that aids in nutrient exchange. The study found that LYS7 is upregulated in roots infected with AM fungi, suggesting its involvement in AM. Mutants lacking LYS6 and LYS7 showed reduced colonization and arbuscule formation by AM fungi, highlighting the importance of these receptors in AM regulation. The study also revealed that LYS6 is involved in the expression of AM-induced genes and the induction of calcium spiking. Overall, LYS6 and LYS7, along with their downstream signaling pathways, are crucial for the initial response to AM in Lotus japonicus. [Extracted from the article]

The textile industry generates waste with elevated concentrations of heavy metals, dominated by lead (Pb). This waste can contaminate the surrounding agricultural land and be absorbed by plants, accumulating in their tissues. Applying mycorrhiza fungi is an effective strategy to prevent Pb accumulation and translocation in plant tissues. This study evaluates the effect of combining mycorrhiza with vermicompost in chili plants by analyzing Pb uptake, Pb translocation, phosphorus uptake, and harvest yield. We employed a randomized block design with two factors: the first factor was vermicompost dose (ranging from 0, 10, 15, 20, 30 t ha-1), and the second factor was mycorrhiza application and non-mycorrhizal (with three repetitions per treatment). The results showed that vermicompost at a dose of 25 - 30 t ha-1 combined with mycorrhiza increased the Pb content in the root compared with the control treatment. Vermicompost at 0 and 10 t ha-1 doses combined with mycorrhiza decreased significantly in Pb content in the shoot compared to the vermicompost treatment without mycorrhiza. Mycorrhiza did not increase the P-uptake and the yield of chili plants. Meanwhile, vermicompost at 25 -30 t ha-1 increased significantly the plant chili yield. The mycorrhizal hyphae in the root tissue can bind Pb and suppress further Pb translocation to the plant's shoot. These research findings show that the chili plant is known as a Pb-accumulator plant. This research contributes to understanding the role of mycorrhiza and vermicompost in maintaining the safety of food crops cultivated around river areas contaminated with textile waste containing Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This field experiment aimed to assess the effects of algal biostimulants (NPK + TE) and mycorrhiza on the vegetative and productive parameters of a blueberry orchard, as well as the shelf life of fruits at three different stages of harvest. Kosovo benefits from favorable agro-climatic conditions that support high-quality agricultural production. In response to the impact of climate change, the blueberry industry in Kosovo has increasingly adopted Algae biostimulants (NPK + TE) to adapt to changing climate conditions, enhance yields, and improve blueberry resilience against environmental stressors. The experiment was conducted in the Vushtria region on a 6-hectare blueberry orchard using a nested experimental design. The plants were planted at a distance of 1×3 meters, with a density of 3333 plants per hectare in 35-liter pots. The irrigation system used is spaghetti-shaped (4 spaghetti per pot), and the orchard is covered with an anti-hail system. ANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in the number of flowers, number of open flowers, leaf surface, number of fruit, total yield, and canopy volume. The obtained results indicate that the use of mycorrhiza positively affected the number of flowers, number of open flowers, and number of leaves, ultimately increasing yield and canopy volume compared to the use of algal biostimulants (NPK + TE). Additionally, treatment with chitosan at the beginning of the harvest extended the shelf life of fruits to 25 days, significantly longer than fruits treated with algal biostimulants (20 days) and in the control six days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Arctic tundra, warming is anticipated to stimulate nutrient release and potentially alleviate plant nutrient limitations. Typically simulated by fertilization experiments that saturate plant nutrient demand, future increases in soil fertility are thought to favor ectomycorrhizal (EcM) over ericaceous shrubs and have often been identified as a key driver of Arctic shrub expansion. However, the projected increases in fertility will likely vary in their alleviation of nutrient limitations. The resulting responses of shrubs and their mycorrhizae across the gradient of nutrient limitation may be nonlinear and could contradict the current predictions of tundra vegetation shifts. We compared the functional responses of two dominant shrubs, EcM dwarf birch (Betula nana) and ericaceous Labrador tea (Rhododendron tomentosum), across a long‐term nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization gradient experiment in Arctic Alaska. Using linear mixed‐effects modeling, we tested the responses of shrub cover, height, and root enzyme activities to soil fertility. We found that B. nana cover and height linearly increased with soil fertility. In contrast, R. tomentosum cover initially increased, but decreased after surpassing the intermediate levels of increased soil fertility. Its height did not change. Enzyme activity did not respond to soil fertility on EcM‐colonized B. nana roots, but sharply declined on R. tomentosum roots. Overall, the nonlinear responses of shrubs to our fertility gradient demonstrate the importance of experiments grounded in replicated regression design. Our results indicate that under moderate increases in soil fertility, Arctic shrub expansion may not only include deciduous EcM shrubs but also ericaceous shrubs. Regardless of shifts aboveground, changes in root enzyme activity belowground point to some EcM shrub species playing a more influential role in tundra soils; as EcM roots remained steady in their liberation of soil organic nutrients with heightened soil fertility, degradative root enzyme activity on the dominant ericaceous shrub dropped—in some instances with even the slightest increase in fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habenaria and Liparis are well-known orchid genera that grow in terrestrial habitats in the tropics, subtropics or temperate zones. Three species have been found in subtropical regions of China, inhabiting terrestrial to epiphytic habitats. This study focuses on three species, H. dentata (distributed in Asia), H. yachangensis, and L. gigantea. For H. yachangensis and L. gigantea, there is no information about the mycorrhizal community in these species. This study aims to conduct the fungal community screening of Chinese ground orchids from subtropical regions. We performed a comparative analysis of the fungal community among H. dentata, H. yachangensis, and L. gigantea, determining their ITS regions using NGS paired-end sequences. The results clarified the diversity and the predominance of fungal genera. Ascomycota was abundant compared to Basidiomycota or other fungi groups in all communities, with a high dominance in all populations, especially for L. gigantea. At different root spatial locations, the fungal community diversity and richness were higher in the soil than in the rhizosphere or inner root. However, the results suggest that L. gigantea has a different fungal community compared to Habenaria species. In this order, the subtropical terrestrial orchids have a different fungal network compared to the northern terrestrial orchids. Also, there is a high probability of co-existence and co-evolution of endophytic fungi in these terrestrial orchids, indicating the potential role of host plants in selecting an endophytic fungal community. Furthermore, our results highlight the need to elucidate the microbe interactions of these unique orchids for long-term purposes, such as isolating indigenous fungi for suitable inoculants for further orchid propagation, restoration, and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycorrhizal associations play a pivotal role in maintaining Mediterranean maquis and xerophilous grasslands, thereby contributing to erosion prevention and desertification mitigation in arid and semi-arid regions. The present study aims to elucidate this plant-fungus relationship to ensure the ecological restoration of Quercus suber (Q.s.), by exploring mycorrhizal colonization rates under diversified experimental conditions. The data reveal an absence of mycorrhizal colonization in the negative control group (Q.s.), while the positive control group (Q.s. + Terfezia (T) spp.) exhibits a significant colonization rate of 15.2 ± 6.2%. More notably, the Q.s. + T + Helianthemum guttatum (H.g.) and Cistus salviifolius (C.s.) group displays the highest colonization rate at 47.0 ± 8.4%, suggesting advantageous synergy among Helianthemum guttatum, Cistus salviifolius, and Quercus suber. This observation is supported by seedling growth data, wherein groups with increased colonization demonstrate greater aboveground height. Particularly, the Q.s. + T + H.g. + C.s. group shows a height of 12.0 ± 3.0 cm, illustrating the beneficial impact of these symbiotic associations on cork oak seedling development. Furthermore, chemical analysis of soils from the Maâmora forest provides relevant insights into conditions conducive to Quercus suber ectomycorrhization. Moderately acidic pH values, low calcium carbonate content, as well as appropriate levels of organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium characterize these soils. In addition to these data, microscopic examination of roots confirms the presence of Terfezia spp. hyphae, indicating mycorrhizal formation without the characteristic structures of ectomycorrhizae. This microscopic observation adds an additional dimension to our understanding of the complex interactions among host plants, mycorrhizal fungi, and soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of saline water for irrigating plants in arid and semi-arid regions has become imperative because of the scarcity of water resources. Nevertheless, under salt stress conditions, plants undergo a multitude of variation, which result in delayed growth and adversely affect the plant metabolism. Adopting appropriate and sustainable strategies such as using bio-organic fertilizers from animal and plant waste or integrating microorganisms (symbiotic fungi), can improve plant resilience against salt stress. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus irregularis alone and/or combined with compost on growth, nutrient uptake, antioxidant activities, and photosynthesis-related performance of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni under salt stress conditions. Salt stress negatively affected all studied parameters. However, the application of R. irregulare strain in a substrate amended with 5% compost is more effective in enhancing salt stress tolerance in stevia plants compared to the compost and AMF strain applied separately. The synergistic effect of the co-application of these two biofertilizers under salt stress resulted in increased stomatal conductance (276%), chlorophyll fluorescence (38%), antioxidant enzyme activities, and the uptake of K+ (78%), Ca2+ (117%), and P (149%). In conclusion, the application of compost combined with AMF may be a promising sustainable strategy for improving salt stress resistance in stevia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the recruitment of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) conserved genes for ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis. ECM symbiosis, which is a more recent form of symbiosis than AM symbiosis, involves the formation of a mantle around the root and an intercellular Hartig net. The study found that ECM host species from the Fagales order maintained the majority of AM-conserved genes, unlike other non-AM hosts. Transcriptome analysis revealed that several of these maintained genes were induced in ECM symbiosis, suggesting that ECM formation recruits AM-derived mechanisms. The study focuses on ECM-only hosts, which are plant species that exclusively engage in ECM symbiosis and have lost the ability to form AM symbiosis. The researchers discovered that ECM-only hosts maintain 64% of the AM-conserved orthologous groups (OGs), highlighting the importance of these genes in ECM symbiosis. They also identified specific genes, such as RAM2, involved in lipid biosynthesis and arbuscule formation in ECM roots. The study suggests that the preservation of AM-conserved genes in ECM-only hosts supports their role in ECM symbiosis. [Extracted from the article]

Mucoromycotina fine root endophytes have similar ecological functions as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in assisting plant nutrient uptake. The mechanisms enabling their symbiosis with plants remain largely unexplored. The mechanisms of Mucoromycotina fine root endophyte symbioses may overlap with those regulating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbioses or the plant endophytes Colletotrichum tofieldiae and Serendipita indica. Contrasting colonisation mechanisms between Mucoromycotina fine root endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi could provide insights into how ancient fungi facilitated the terrestrialisation of land plants. Investigations into mechanisms of symbiosis will benefit from inclusion of Mucoromycotina fine root endophytes as these fungi are more culturable than arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under laboratory conditions and can be grown in the absence of a plant host. The most studied plant–fungal symbioses to date are the interactions between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi of the Glomeromycotina clade. Advancements in phylogenetics and microbial community profiling have distinguished a group of symbiosis-forming fungi that resemble AM fungi as belonging instead to the Mucoromycotina. These enigmatic fungi are now known as Mucoromycotina 'fine root endophytes' and could provide a means to understand the origins of plant–fungal symbioses. Most of our knowledge of the mechanisms of fungal symbiosis comes from investigations using AM fungi. Here, we argue that inclusion of Mucoromycotina fine root endophytes in future studies will expand our understanding of the mechanisms, evolution, and ecology of plant–fungal symbioses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 100 years, the rapid growth in population from 2 billion to 8 billion has significantly impacted the environment and climate change. In addition, food consumption has skyrocketed, and there are widespread worries about global food security. Due to inadequate soil and plant management techniques, including high soil tillage, chemical fertilizers, inappropriate irrigation, and genetically engineered crops, this spike has made it more difficult to guarantee food security for everyone on the planet. These actions have resulted in societal unrest, climatic change, and land degradation. With organic carbon mineralization, more CO2 is released into the atmosphere because of atmospheric heating and climate change. Long-term greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere cause global climate change. Increasing climate changes and the inefficiency of soil productivity result in the natural effects of the rhizosphere on plant growth and food security. One of the most effective mechanisms of the rhizosphere is mycorrhizal fungi, which are injured microorganisms. Frequently disregarded mycorrhizal fungi present a potential solution. While sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, they can increase agricultural yields, plant health, and soil fertility. For sustainable agriculture and environmental preservation, it is essential to understand and take advantage of the potential of mycorrhizal fungi. A crucial area for study and practical application is the function of mycorrhizal fungi in reducing these difficulties and enhancing food security. Considering rising environmental challenges, understanding their contributions and researching their relationships may help create a more stable and secure global food system.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of advantageous microorganisms as a biofertilizer has gained significant importance in the agricultural industry due to their potential contribution to food safety and the sustainable cultivation of crops. To evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and co‐inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza and rhizobium on the yield and yield component of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a 2‐year field experiment was conducted in 2020–2021 at the Agricultural Research Station of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The experiment was designed as a randomized block trial in factorial design with three replicates. The treatments included two levels of inoculation (noninoculated and inoculated with rhizobium and mycorrhiza) and application of different levels of N fertilizer (0, 25, or 50 kg ha−1) at three growth stages (sowing, flowering, pod filling) as follows; F0 (0,0,0), F1 (25,0,0), F2 (25,25,0), F3 (25,25,25), F4 (50,0,0), F5 (50,50,0) and F6 (50,50,50), respectively. The results showed that seed inoculation and split N fertilization significantly increased yield and yield components in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Seed inoculation showed the highest values for all traits studied compared to the noninoculated treatments. Moreover, among the fertilizer treatments, the highest values for plant height (41.8 cm), number of branches (9.1), number of grains per plant (17.8) and 100‐grain weight (30.4 g) from F6 through the F3 treatment, were statistically similar. The results show that the effect of inoculation is more significant when a lower amount of N fertilizer is applied. Due to the health and environmental problems associated with chemical fertilizers, double inoculation and split application of N fertilizers at lower doses can be recommended. Plain Language Summary: In order to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and co‐inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza and Rhizobium ciceri on the yield and yield component of chickpea, a 2‐year field experiment was conducted at the agricultural research station of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, during 2020–2021. From these results, it can be concluded that the pronounced increase in these traits was obtained by the application of mineral N fertilizer and co‐inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza and Rh. ciceri, which led to an increase the yield and yield component. Also, our results showed that supplying nitrogen during the planting and flowering stages is very important to obtain high yield and dry matter. The results illustrate that the effect of inoculation is more significant in conditions of less fertilizer consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of mycorrhiza and seaweed are becoming significant and complementary applications in different production systems because organisms increased quality of seedlings and crop yield. This study has been conducted under growth chamber conditions to determine some of the seedling growth parameters (length (cm), stem diameter (mm), fresh weight (g plant −1), dry weight (g plant −1), root fresh weight (g plant −1), root dry weight (g plant −1), leaf area (cm2 plant−1), SPAD, photosynthesis rate (%) and color parameters). As a plant material, Cuma F1 and Mert F1 genotype seeds were sown. Endo Roots Soluble (Mycorrhiza (ERS)) and MC-Extra (Seaweed) were applied in different doses (0, 250 and 500 mg kg−1) to seedling growing vessels at a rate of 10 ml per plant. Treatment effects in tomato were found statistically significant (p ≤.01**) on stem diameter, fresh weight, dry weight. Seedling length, leaf area and SPAD results were also statistically significant (p ≤.01**), and the results of these parameters were higher in ERS. ERS increases the leaf area and SPAD measurements in tomato seedlings. The results of pepper measurements were found to be statistically significant at p ≤.05* on root fresh weight, SPAD and photosynthesis rate. The highest values of root fresh weight, SPAD were obtained from 250 mg kg−1 doses of ERS; the highest value of photosynthesis rate was measured from 500 mg kg−1 doses of ERS on pepper. The effect of 500 mg kg−1 ERS on seedling growth was found statistically significant in pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a Commentary on Giovannetti et al., 241: 1393–1400. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) transport substantial plant carbon (C) that serves as a substrate for soil organisms, a precursor of soil organic matter (SOM), and a driver of soil microbial dynamics. Using two‐chamber microcosms where an air gap isolated AMF from roots, we 13CO2‐labeled Avena barbata for 6 wk and measured the C Rhizophagus intraradices transferred to SOM and hyphosphere microorganisms.NanoSIMS imaging revealed hyphae and roots had similar 13C enrichment. SOM density fractionation, 13C NMR, and IRMS showed AMF transferred 0.77 mg C g−1 of soil (increasing total C by 2% relative to non‐mycorrhizal controls); 33% was found in occluded or mineral‐associated pools.In the AMF hyphosphere, there was no overall change in community diversity but 36 bacterial ASVs significantly changed in relative abundance. With stable isotope probing (SIP)‐enabled shotgun sequencing, we found taxa from the Solibacterales, Sphingobacteriales, Myxococcales, and Nitrososphaerales (ammonium oxidizing archaea) were highly enriched in AMF‐imported 13C (> 20 atom%). Mapping sequences from 13C‐SIP metagenomes to total ASVs showed at least 92 bacteria and archaea were significantly 13C‐enriched.Our results illustrate the quantitative and ecological impact of hyphal C transport on the formation of potentially protective SOM pools and microbial roles in the AMF hyphosphere soil food web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Phosphorus (P) for carbon (C) exchange is the pivotal function of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), but how this exchange varies with soil P availability and among co‐occurring plants in complex communities is still largely unknown.We collected intact plant communities in two regions differing c. 10‐fold in labile inorganic P. After a 2‐month glasshouse incubation, we measured 32P transfer from AM fungi (AMF) to shoots and 13C transfer from shoots to AMF using an AMF‐specific fatty acid. AMF communities were assessed using molecular methods.AMF delivered a larger proportion of total shoot P in communities from high‐P soils despite similar 13C allocation to AMF in roots and soil. Within communities, 13C concentration in AMF was consistently higher in grass than in blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata Pursh) roots, that is P appeared more costly for grasses. This coincided with differences in AMF taxa composition and a trend of more vesicles (storage structures) but fewer arbuscules (exchange structures) in grass roots. Additionally, 32P‐for‐13C exchange ratios increased with soil P for blanketflower but not grasses.Contrary to predictions, AMF transferred proportionally more P to plants in communities from high‐P soils. However, the 32P‐for‐13C exchange differed among co‐occurring plants, suggesting differential regulation of the AM symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Arbuscular (AM) and orchid (OrM) mycorrhiza are the most widespread mycorrhizal symbioses among flowering plants, formed by distinct fungal and plant species. They are both endosymbioses because the fungal hyphae can enter inside the plant cell to develop intracellular fungal structures that are surrounded by the plant membrane. The symbiotic plant–fungus interface is considered to be the major site of nutrient transfer to the host plant. We summarize recent data on nutrient transfer in OrM and compare the development and function of the arbuscules formed in AM and the pelotons formed in OrM in order to outline differences and conserved traits. We further describe the unexpected similarities in the form and function of the intracellular mycorrhizal fungal structures observed in orchids and in the roots of mycoheterotrophic plants forming AM. We speculate that these similarities may be the result of convergent evolution of mycorrhizal types in mycoheterotrophic plants and highlight knowledge gaps and new research directions to explore this scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Rhizophagus irregularis is the model species for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) research and the most widely propagated species for commercial plant biostimulants.Using asymbiotic and symbiotic cultivation systems initiated from single spores, advanced microscopy, Sanger sequencing of the glomalin gene, and PacBio sequencing of the partial 45S rRNA gene, we show that four strains of R. irregularis produce spores of two distinct morphotypes, one corresponding to the morphotype described in the R. irregularis protologue and the other having the phenotype of R. fasciculatus.The two spore morphs are easily distinguished by spore colour, thickness of the subtending hypha, thickness of the second wall layer, lamination of the innermost layer, and the dextrinoid reaction of the two outer spore wall layers to Melzer's reagent. The glomalin gene of the two spore morphs is identical and that of the PacBio sequences of the partial SSU‐ITS‐LSU region (2780 bp) obtained from single spores of the R. cf fasciculatus morphotype has a median pairwise similarity of 99.8% (SD = 0.005%) to the rDNA ribotypes of R. irregularis DAOM 197198.Based on these results, we conclude that the model AMF species R. irregularis is dimorphic, which has caused taxonomic confusion in culture collections and possibly in AMF research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrological regime is considered to be the major factor that affects the distribution of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi in wetlands. We aimed to investigate the responses of AM fungal community to different hydrological gradients. Illumina Miseq sequencing technology was used to study the AM fungal community structure in roots and rhizosphere soils of Phragmites australis in different moisture areas (dry area, alternating wet and dry area, and flooded area) in Mengjin Yellow River wetland. The rhizosphere soils and roots hosted different AM fungal communities. In roots, the AM fungal colonization and Chao1 richness in dry area were significantly higher than that in alternating wet and dry area and flooded area, but the community composition did not vary clearly under different water conditions. In rhizosphere soils, the Chao1 richness of AM fungi in flooded area was significantly higher than that in alternating wet and dry area and dry area, and the AM fungal community structure obviously differed across different areas. The redundancy analyses indicated that changes in the AM fungal community in soils were associated with altered soil properties, and the abundance of the dominant genus Glomus was mostly positively correlated with alkali‐hydrolyzable nitrogen in soils. This study helps us to understand the responses of AM fungal community to hydrological gradients in wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanda tricolor is currently a protected species because is the occurrence of orchid late blight caused by the Fusarium sp. pathogenic fungus. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Rhizoctonia mycorrhizae in inducing resistance against Fusarium sp., the causative agent of late blight, in V. tricolor. The research employed CRBD with three treatments and six replications. Rhizoctonia mycorrhizae were isolated and identified following the procedure outlined by Bayman. Pre-inoculation of Rhizoctonia mycorrhizae was conducted on PDA media, and mycorrhizae were subsequently inoculated onto the roots of V. tricolor seedlings derived from tissue culture. The presence of peloton structures on the roots was determined using the Nakano methods. The Saravanan method was employed to measure peroxidase activity. The results demonstrated that V. tricolor induced by Rhizoctonia mycorrhizae exhibited resistance against Fusarium sp. and displayed the formation of peroxidase enzymes, peloton structures, and lignification. In contrast, the non-induced orchids suffered significant damage to the epidermal tissue of the leaves, did not exhibit an increase in peroxidase enzymes, and failed to form peloton or lignified structures. The novelty of this research is the use of Rhizoctonia mycorrhizae to control orchid late blight diseases at Mount Merapi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi frequently colonise plant roots and can affect plant morphology and physiology through their contribution to plant nutrition. However, the functional role of AM fungi in the presence of other microbial symbionts, including widespread Mucoromycotina 'fine root endophytes' (MFRE) fungi, remains largely unknown.While both AM fungi and MFRE transfer nutrients, including nitrogen, from inorganic and organic sources to host plants, their combined effects on co‐colonised plants have only been investigated in liverworts. Here, we compare the morphology and physiology of the grass Holcus lanatus grown with an AM fungal community versus a more diverse symbiotic fungal community containing both AM fungi and MFRE.Holcus lanatus plants were grown in the presence of either a diverse MFRE+AM fungi soil inoculum or a multi‐species AM fungal inoculum. Plant traits associated with growth were quantified, along with fungal transfer of 15N tracer to plants from a variety of sources (ammonium chloride, alanine, glycine and algal necromass).Holcus lanatus grown with the AM fungal community had greater root and shoot growth during early development and prior to the addition of 15N‐labelled sources, compared with plants grown with the more diverse symbiotic fungal community. When nitrogen sources were made available to the fungal symbionts in the pot microcosms, plants growing with the MFRE+AM fungi soil inoculum had a faster growth rate than plants growing with the AM fungal community. At harvest, H. lanatus grown with the AM fungal community had a larger biomass, and there were no differences in 15N tracer assimilation in plants across the two fungal community treatments.Our results demonstrate that the diversity of fungal inocula in conjunction with soil nutrient availability determine the benefits derived by plants from diverse fungal symbionts. Our research contributes to understanding host plant outcomes in diverse multi‐symbiont scenarios. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferns are known to have a lower incidence of mycorrhization than angiosperms. It has been suggested that this results from carbon being more limiting to fern growth than nutrient availability, but this assertion has not been tested yet. In the present study, we took advantage of a fertilization experiment with nitrogen and phosphorus on cloud forest plots of the Ecuadorean Andes for 15 years. A previous analysis revealed changes in the abundances of fern species in the fertilized plots compared to the control plots and hypothesized that this might be related to the responses of the mycorrhizal relationships to nutrient availability. We revisited the plots to assess the root‐associated fungal communities of two epiphytic and two terrestrial fern species that showed shifts in abundance. We sampled and analyzed the roots of 125 individuals following a metabarcoding approach. We recovered 1382 fungal ASVs, with a dominance of members of Tremellales (Basidiomycota) and Heliotales (Ascomycota). The fungal diversity was highly partitioned with little overlap between individuals. We found marked differences between terrestrial and epiphytic species, with the latter fundamentally missing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We found no effect of fertilization on the diversity or relative abundance of the fungal assemblages. Still, we observed a direct impact of phosphorus fertilization on its concentration in the fern leaves. We conclude that fern–fungi relationships in the study site are not restricted by nutrient availability and suggest the existence of little specificity on the fungal partners relative to the host fern species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When cultivating medicinal plants, the use of chemical substances such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers should be avoided, as these can be contaminated with hazardous substances. Bio-fertilizers are a good alternative for growing herbs, as they are produced from organic materials that contain fewer hazardous substances. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different bio-fertilizers on growth, yield, andrographolide content, nutrient accumulation, and different pigments in green chiretta. In addition, the effectiveness of bio-fertilizers on the convertible phosphorus content in the soil was investigated. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and four replicates. The details of the experiment were 1) control (no bio-fertilizer), 2) phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs), 3) plant growth promoter, and 4) mycorrhiza. The findings revealed that the application of PSMs provided the highest leaf dry weight (yield) of green chiretta (20.8±3.58 g/plant). This treatment also gave the highest chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content (699±70, 178±24, 880±94 mg/sqm, respectively) and andrographolide yield (0.38±0.06 g/plant). Regarding the phosphorus content in the soil, the PSMs application showed the highest available phosphorus and the highest phosphorus activation coefficient (PAC) in the soil, namely 52.0±4.76 mg/kg and 4.22±0.32 percent, respectively. These results indicate that the use of PSMs as a bio-fertilizer is most suitable for the cultivation of green chiretta, especially when this plant grows on acid sulfate soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interview with Caroline Gutjahr, who studies the molecular factors influencing the formation and function of mycorrhiza at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, where she is also the Director. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a Commentary on Yamawo & Ohno (2024), 243: 1586–1599. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing presence of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and its multiple possibilities of use, the influence of different light and several biopreparations based on beneficial fungi and bacteria on hemp's morphological and physiological properties were examined. Different biopreparations and their combinations were inoculated on hemp seed and/or substrate and grown under blue and white light. A completely randomized block design was conducted in four replications within 30 days. For biopreparation treatment, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) in combination with Azotobacter chroococum and Trichoderma spp. were inoculated only on seed or both on seed and in the substrate. Generally, the highest morphological parameters (stem, root and plant length) were recorded on plants in white light and on treatment with applied Trichoderma spp., both on seed and substrate. Blue light negatively affected biopreparation treatments, resulting in lower values of all morphological parameters compared to control. Leaves pigments were higher under blue light, as compared to the white light. At the same time, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), flavonoids, total flavanol content and phenolic acids were not influenced by light type. Biopreparation treatments did not significantly influence the leaves' pigments content (Chl a, Chl b and Car), nor the phenolic and flavanol content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest for sustainable agricultural practices, there arises an urgent need for alternative solutions to mineral fertilizers and pesticides, aiming to diminish the environmental footprint of farming. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) emerge as a promising avenue, bestowing plants with heightened nutrient absorption capabilities while alleviating plant stress. Cereal and oilseed crops benefit from this association in a number of ways, including improved growth fitness, nutrient uptake, and tolerance to environmental stresses. Understanding the molecular mechanisms shaping the impact of AMF on these crops offers encouraging prospects for a more efficient use of these beneficial microorganisms to mitigate climate change-related stressors on plant functioning and productivity. An increased number of studies highlighted the boosting effect of AMF on grain and oil crops' tolerance to (a)biotic stresses while limited ones investigated the molecular aspects orchestrating the different involved mechanisms. This review gives an extensive overview of the different strategies initiated by mycorrhizal cereal and oilseed plants to manage the deleterious effects of environmental stress. We also discuss the molecular drivers and mechanistic concepts to unveil the molecular machinery triggered by AMF to alleviate the tolerance of these crops to stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saline–alkali stress seriously endangers the normal growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could enhance salt tolerance by establishing symbiotic relationships with plants. Based on it, a pot experiment was conducted to simulate a salt environment in which cotton was inoculated with Paraglomus occultum to explore its effects on the saline–alkali tolerance of cotton. Our results showed that salt stress noticeably decreased cotton seedling growth parameters (such as plant height, number of leaves, dry weight, root system architecture, etc.), while AMF exhibited a remarkable effect on promoting growth. It was noteworthy that AMF significantly mitigated the inhibitory effect of salt on cotton seedlings. However, AMF colonization in root and soil hyphal length were collectively descended via salt stress. With regard to osmotic regulating substances, Pro and MDA values in roots were significantly increased when seedlings were exposed to salt stress, while AMF only partially mitigated these reactions. Salt stress increased ROS levels in the roots of cotton seedlings and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, POD, and CAT), while AMF mitigated the increases in ROS levels but further strengthened antioxidant enzyme activity. AMF inoculation increased the photosynthesis parameters of cotton seedling leaves to varying degrees, while salt stress decreased them dramatically. When inoculated with AMF under a salt stress environment, only partial mitigation of these photosynthesis values was observed. Under saline–alkali stress, AMF improved the leaf fluorescence parameters (φPSII, Fv′/Fm′, and qP) of cotton seedlings, leaf chlorophyll levels, and root endogenous hormones (IAA and BR); promoted the absorption of water; and maintained nitrogen balance, thus alleviating the damage from salt stress on the growth of cotton plants to some extent. In summary, mycorrhizal cotton seedlings may exhibit mechanisms involving root system architecture, the antioxidant system, photosynthesis, leaf fluorescence, endogenous hormones, water content, and nitrogen balance that increase their resistance to saline–alkali environments. This study provide a theoretical basis for further exploring the application of AMF to enhance the salt tolerance of cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effect of using mycorrhizae and rhizobium at different levels of nitrogen starter fertilizer on some important growth indices of a common bean cultivar, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2016 at Bu-Ali Sina University research farm. The factors included two bio-fertilizers of mycorrhizae (Glomus mosseae) and rhizobium (Rhizobium phaseoli) each one with two levels (used and non-used) and nitrogen starter fertilizer with three levels (0, 30, 60 kg ha−1) from urea as the third factor. The studied factors caused significant changes in growth indices. The maximums of leaf area index (5.9), total dry weight (860 g m−2) and crop growth rate (44 g m−2 day−1) were observed in the simultaneous application of both bio-fertilizers plus use of 60 kg ha−1 N. This superior treatment compared with no bio-fertilizer + 60 kg ha−1 N treatment increased maximums of LAI, TDM and CGR, 115, 68 and 60%, respectively. Also in superior treatment, the two indices of net assimilation rate (NAR) and relative growth rate (RGR) on 60th day after planting were 25 g m−2 day−1 and 0.046 g g−1day−1, that were respectively 116 and 17% higher than no bio-fertilizer + 60 kg ha−1 N treatment. Therefore application of mycorrhiza and rhizobium simultaneously in addition to 60 kg ha−1 N as starter fertilizer is an appropriate treatment in common bean to maximize the growth indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of soil additives in reducing the effect of water deficit stress on sugar beet, an experiment was performed as a combined analysis in two regions based on randomized complete block design with four replications. Experimental treatments were location factor at two levels of Miandoab and Malekan, water deficit stress factor at three levels of 50 mm (lack of stress), 110 mm (moderate stress) and 170 mm (severe stress) evaporation from class A evaporation pan and soil additive factor at four levels of control (no soil additives), superabsorbent, mycorrhiza and livestock manure. In the present study, the use of soil additive treatments in both regions were able to improve the yield of pure sugar compared to control. In irrigation treatment after 170 mm of evaporation, the highest leaf area index (3.28), relative leaf water content (65.96%), shoot dry weight (3.45 t ha-1 ), root yield (49.48 t ha-1 ), gross sugar yield (9.73 t ha-1 ) and pure sugar yield (8.32 t ha-1 ) were obtained by mycorrhiza application and sugar content (20.48%) and pure sugar percent (17.11%) were obtained in control and superabsorbent application, respectively. In water deficit stress, application of mycorrhiza and superabsorbent were able to significantly increase the yield of pure sugar compared to the control. Due to the fact that sugar beet is exposed to different periods of water deficit stress in the tested areas, the use of mycorrhiza and superabsorbent can be a suitable method to reduce the effect of water deficit stress in sugar beet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meeting the ever-increasing food demands of a growing global population while ensuring resource and environmental sustainability presents significant challenges for agriculture worldwide. Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS) has emerged as a potential solution by increasing the surface area of a plant's root system and enhancing the absorption of phosphorus, nitrogen nutrients, and water. Consequently, there is a longstanding hypothesis that rice varieties exhibiting more efficient AMS could yield higher outputs at reduced input costs, paving the way for the development of Green Super Rice (GSR). Our prior research study identified a variant, OsCERK1DY, derived from Dongxiang wild-type rice, which notably enhanced AMS efficiency in the rice cultivar "ZZ35." This variant represents a promising gene for enhancing yield and nutrient use efficiency in rice breeding. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of biomass, crop growth characteristics, yield attributes, and nutrient absorption at varying soil nitrogen levels in the rice cultivar "ZZ35" and its chromosome single-segment substitution line, "GJDN1." In the field, GJDN1 exhibited a higher AM colonization level in its roots compared with ZZ35. Notably, GJDN1 displayed significantly higher effective panicle numbers and seed-setting rates than ZZ35. Moreover, the yield of GJDN1 with 75% nitrogen was 14.27% greater than the maximum yield achieved using ZZ35. At equivalent nitrogen levels, GJDN1 consistently outperformed ZZ35 in chlorophyll (Chl) content, dry matter accumulation, major nutrient element accumulation, N agronomic efficiency (NAE), N recovery efficiency (NRE), and N partial factor productivity (NPFP). The performance of OsCERK1DY overexpression lines corroborated these findings. These results support a model wherein the heightened level of AMS mediated by OsCERK1DY contributes to increased nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium accumulation. This enhancement in nutrient utilization promotes higher fertilizer efficiency, dry matter accumulation, and ultimately, rice yield. Consequently, the OsCERK1DY gene emerges as a robust candidate for improving yield, reducing fertilizer usage, and facilitating a transition towards greener, lower-carbon agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) inoculation on the micronutrient and macroelement uptakes in different organs of daffodil (Narcissus tazetta L.) grown under saline conditions is examined. For this purpose, Narcissus tazetta plant grown in the climate chamber was treated with sodium chloride (NaCl) at three different concentrations such as salt-free (S0), 34 mmol (S1) and 68 mmol (S2) in mediums with mycorrhiza (M+) and without mycorrhiza (M-). At the end of the experiment, the uptakes of sodium (Na), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) uptakes in the bulb, root and leaves of the plant were analyzed. The effects of salt and mycorrhiza interactions on the N uptakes were statistically significant at the 5% level in bulbs. The effects of salt applications were found significant at 1% level for all nutrients uptakes of roots except Cu uptake (5%). The effects of interactions among salt and mycorrhiza were found significant at 5% level for P, Ca and Mn uptakes and at 1% level for Mg, Fe and Cu uptakes of leaves statistically. Increasing doses of sodium chloride had statistically negative effects on nutrient uptakes of different organs except Na and K uptakes of bulbs. Mycorrhiza applications generally increased nutrient uptakes of daffodil's roots and leaves under salinity conditions. The interactions between salt and mycorrhiza were significant for N in bulbs, for N, P and Fe in roots and for P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Cu in leaves. The decreases in these nutrients uptakes by 68 mmol NaCl applications were lower in mycorrhiza applications than those in non mycorrhiza applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), bismuth (Bi), and arsenic (As) are potent and harmful poisonous sources that cause havoc on health conditions for the population of the world. However, the response of our crop species to these potent heavy metalsrelated toxicity is still left to be fully understood. It is a matter of great concern, as we are heavily dependent on crop species like rice, wheat, peas, etc. Our study here aims to learn about the defensive mechanism of Pisum sativum L. aided with putrescine and mycorrhiza against the stress created by Cd-related toxicity. We quantified physiological parameters such as the membrane-related injury and stability index. We further measured the total free proline content, lipid peroxidation content, and SOD activity. We executed our quantitative experiments on the stressed pea plants due to the exogenously applied Cd-toxicity in the presence and absence of mycorrhiza and putrescine. Insights of our significant results will improve the understanding of readers of the role of mycorrhiza and putrescine in improvising the tolerance level of a pea plant over Cd-related toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate whether a selected arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Diversispora spurca, improves growth in drought-stressed walnut (Juglans regia L. cv. Qingxiang) plants and whether this improvement is associated with changes in osmolyte (fructose, glucose, sucrose, soluble protein, proline, and betaine) levels. After 60 days of soil drought treatment (50% of maximum field water-holding capacity), root D. spurca colonization rate and soil mycelium length decreased by 13.57% and 64.03%, respectively. Soil drought also inhibited the growth performance of aboveground (stem diameter, leaf number, leaf biomass, and stem biomass) and underground (root projected area, surface area, and average diameter) parts, with uninoculated plants showing a stronger inhibition than D. spurca-inoculated plants. D. spurca significantly increased these growth variables, along with aboveground part variables and root areas being more prominent under drought stress versus non-stress conditions. Although drought treatment suppressed the chlorophyll index and nitrogen balance index in leaves, mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased these indices. Walnut plants were able to actively increase leaf fructose, glucose, sucrose, betaine, and proline levels under such drought stress. Inoculation of D. spurca also significantly increased leaf fructose, glucose, sucrose, betaine, proline, and soluble protein levels under drought stress and non-stress, with the increasing trend in betaine and soluble protein being higher under drought stress versus non-stress. Drought stress dramatically raised leaf hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in both inoculated and uninoculated plants, while mycorrhizal plants presented significantly lower H2O2 levels, with the decreasing trend higher under drought stress versus non-stress. In conclusion, D. spurca symbiosis can increase the growth of drought-stressed walnut plants, associated with increased osmolyte levels and decreased H2O2 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil biotic and abiotic factors can affect the interaction between invasive and native species. However, it is not yet clear how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis affects the interaction between adult invasive plants and neighboring seedlings. We used an invasive weed (Bidens frondosa) to test the hypothesis that adult invasive plants facilitate the growth of neighboring seedlings through AM symbiosis, and this facilitation can be inhibited by the biological stress of root‐knot nematode infection. The results showed that the height and total biomass of seedlings near the adult plant increased, indicating that the belowground effects mediated by AM symbiosis played a facilitative role. The positive growth response to resource allocation between adult plant and neighboring seedlings through mycorrhizal connection was inhibited when adult plants were infected by root‐knot nematode. Only the total biomass and root–shoot ratio of adult plants were increased, while seedling growth performance did not change. Our results supported the hypothesis that adult invasive plants can facilitate their neighboring seedlings growth through AM symbiosis and the benefits vary with biotic stress on adult plant. These findings provided important evidence to explain the role of AM symbiosis in plant invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the latest literature, climate models show that the conditions for pines, spruces, larches, and birches will deteriorate significantly. In Poland, as well as in other European countries, there are already signs of the decline of these species. This review article deals with the symbiotic relationships between fungi and plants, which can hardly be overestimated, using the example of pine trees. These are the oldest known symbiotic relationships, which are of great benefit to both components and can help plants, in particular, survive periods of severe drought and the attack of pathogens on the roots. This article describes symbioses and their causal conditions, as well as the mycorrhizal components of pine trees and their properties; characterizes ectomycorrhizal fungi and their mushroom-forming properties; and provides examples of the cultivation of pure fungal cultures, with particular attention to the specificity of the mycorrhizal structure and its effects on the growth and development of Pinus species. Finally, the role of mycorrhiza in plant protection and pathogen control is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maintenance of growth and crop productivity under water deficit represents one of the main challenges of modern agriculture. In this research, the role of foliar spraying with putrescine (0, 0.5, and 1 mM), soil application of humic acid, and soil application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) in reducing the negative effect of irrigation regime[full irrigation or control, stopping irrigation from the beginning of flowering (moderate drought) and the beginning of branching (severe drought) respectively] on the morphological and biochemical indicators of Balangu (Lallemantiaroyleana Benth. in Wall.) plants was investigated. The experiment was set up in three replications, utilizing a split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design. Moderate and severe drought levels decreased morphological parameters and leaf elements, while increasing proline, soluble carbohydrate content, reactive oxygen species, and total phenol. The use of putrescine, humic acid, and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduced the adverse effects of drought stress on plant height, fresh and dry weight, crown diameter, lateral bench number, leaf length, and width. They also increase proline and soluble carbohydrate content, which increases the plant's resistance to stress conditions. Humic acid and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased the content of soluble carbohydrates by 30 and 22% and proline by 72 and 72% under severe drought stress conditions, while decreasing reactive oxygen species by 25 and 19%. In general, with the stopping of irrigation from the beginning of flowering, the growth characteristics of the plant decreased, but with the use of growth stimulants, the negative effects of the drought stress were moderated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water is one of the factors limiting rice cultivation on raindrop land. The provision of mycorrhizae can help the absorption of water in the soil solum deeper. Besides, it can also save the use of nitrogen and phosphor fertilizers in water-choked conditions. This research aimed to optimize dosage of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on growth in rainfed lowland rice applied mycorrhizae. Methods: This research was carried out from April to July 2019 in rainfed lowland rice with entisol in Demangan, Sambi, Boyolali, Center Java, Indonesia The research method was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The first factor was the dosage of nitrogen fertilizer, which consisted of four levels, i.e., 0, 45, 90 and 135 kg ha-1. The second factor was the dosage of phosphorus fertilizer, which consisted of four levels, i.e., 0, 25, 50 and 75 kg ha-1. Result: The results showed that fertilizer dosage of nitrogen of 90 kg ha-1 and phosphorus of 50 kg ha-1 increased the leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), net assimilation rate (NAR), and crop growth rate (CGR). The application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer can improve the Situ Bagendit variety's physiological character better than without fertilizer. Rice cultivation in rainfed lowland rice applied mycorrhizae should use nitrogen of 90 kg ha-1 and phosphorus of 50 kg ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Plant microbiomes play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and plant growth, and are shaped by a complex interplay between plants, microbes, and the environment. The role of bacteria as mediators of the 400-million-year-old partnership between the majority of land plants and, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is still poorly understood. Here, we test whether AM hyphae-associated bacteria influence the success of the AM symbiosis. Results: Using partitioned microcosms containing field soil, we discovered that AM hyphae and roots selectively assemble their own microbiome from the surrounding soil. In two independent experiments, we identified several bacterial genera, including Devosia, that are consistently enriched on AM hyphae. Subsequently, we isolated 144 pure bacterial isolates from a mycorrhiza-rich sample of extraradical hyphae and isolated Devosia sp. ZB163 as root and hyphal colonizer. We show that this AM-associated bacterium synergistically acts with mycorrhiza on the plant root to strongly promote plant growth, nitrogen uptake, and mycorrhization. Conclusions: Our results highlight that AM fungi do not function in isolation and that the plant-mycorrhiza symbiont can recruit beneficial bacteria that support the symbiosis. Aik4iJYbzAos1E2c5U4cFF Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coming century in agriculture will be marked by increasing exposure of crops to abiotic stress and disease due to climate change. The plant traits with the strongest potential to mitigate these stresses are complex, and are increasingly recognized to involve interaction with the microbiome. Through symbiosis with soil fungi, plants form arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) that can alleviate nutrient, water, and temperature stress, and can confer pathogen resistance and increased yield. The portfolio of advantages offered by AM overlaps with the benefits of agriculturally useful plant traits that have been the subject of decades of intensive biotechnological efforts, such as C4 photosynthesis and rhizobial nitrogen fixation. In this article we illustrate the prospective benefits of genetic engineering to produce AM in nonmycorrhizal plants and modify AM in already-mycorrhizal crops. We highlight recent advances which have clarified the key genetic and metabolic components of AM symbiosis, and show that many of these components are involved in other plant biological processes and have already been subject to extensive genetic engineering in nonsymbiotic contexts. We provide a theoretical research roadmap to accomplish engineering of AM into the nonmycorrhizal model Arabidopsis including specific molecular genetic approaches. We conclude that AM is potentially more tractable than other complex plant traits, and that a concerted research initiative for biotechnological manipulation of AM could fill unique needs for agricultural resilience. Finally, we note that engineering of AM provides a potential back door into manipulation of other essential plant traits, including carbon storage, and beneficial microbiome assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orchids are a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants, with over 25,000 known species and more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars. Orchids are characterised by their often showy and highly specialised flowers and have unique and intricate floral. Orchids are known to be highly dependent on their mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient uptake, especially during the early stages of their development. Orchid seeds lack the endosperm present in most other seeds, which means they cannot germinate without a source of nutrition. The relationship between orchids and mycorrhiza is known as orchid mycorrhizae or orchid mycorrhiza. In orchid mycorrhiza, the orchid plant forms a mutualistic relationship with certain species of fungi that are able to penetrate the orchid's roots and colonise its tissues to provides the orchid with essential nutrients. Orchid mycorrhizal fungi are often highly specific, meaning that they can only form partnerships with certain orchid species, and vice versa. The importance of mycorrhizal fungi in the orchid life cycle is crucial from both evolutionary and ecological standpoints. Therefore, it is essential to acquire a thorough comprehension of this relationship and develop methodologies for isolating, identifying, and preserving significant fungal strains that are associated with different orchid species. In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in research concentration on mycorrhizal interactions in orchids. However, certain inquiries remain unresolved pertaining to the fungal communities associated with orchids as well as the divergences notices across different species and geographical locales. The present paper provides a through, and extensive analysis of the fungal life associated with orchids. This article presents a succinct overview of the molecular techniques utilised by researchers globally to isolate and identify pelotonforming fungi in both temperateterrestrial and tropical orchids. The review begins by proving a concise introduction to the background material regarding the wide range of fungal species that are linked with orchids. It then proceeds to explores the topic of orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) and orchid nonmycorrhizal fungi (ONF). The subsequent analysis explores the crucial function that orchid mycorrhizal fungi play in the processes of seed germination and development. Moreover, the study elaborates on the methodologies utilised for isolating fungi, extracting fungal DNA, selecting primers, amplifying DNA and subsequent analysis sequence data. This article considers several molecular identification approaches that are used in studying orchid endophytic mycorrhizal. Using molecular approaches, orchid mycorrhizal can be further explored and identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]