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Direct nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon exchanges between Mucoromycotina 'fine root endophyte' fungi and a flowering plant in novel monoxenic cultures.

Authors :
Hoysted GA
Field KJ
Sinanaj B
Bell CA
Bidartondo MI
Pressel S
Source :
The New phytologist [New Phytol] 2023 Apr; Vol. 238 (1), pp. 70-79. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Feb 05.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Most plants form mycorrhizal associations with mutualistic soil fungi. Through these partnerships, resources are exchanged including photosynthetically fixed carbon for fungal-acquired nutrients. Recently, it was shown that the diversity of associated fungi is greater than previously assumed, extending to Mucoromycotina fungi. These Mucoromycotina 'fine root endophytes' (MFRE) are widespread and generally co-colonise plant roots together with Glomeromycotina 'coarse' arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Until now, this co-occurrence has hindered the determination of the direct function of MFRE symbiosis. To overcome this major barrier, we developed new techniques for fungal isolation and culture and established the first monoxenic in vitro cultures of MFRE colonising a flowering plant, clover. Using radio- and stable-isotope tracers in these in vitro systems, we measured the transfer of <superscript>33</superscript> P, <superscript>15</superscript> N and <superscript>14</superscript> C between MFRE hyphae and the host plant. Our results provide the first unequivocal evidence that MFRE fungi are nutritional mutualists with a flowering plant by showing that clover gained both <superscript>15</superscript> N and <superscript>33</superscript> P tracers directly from fungus in exchange for plant-fixed C in the absence of other micro-organisms. Our findings and methods pave the way for a new era in mycorrhizal research, firmly establishing MFRE as both mycorrhizal and functionally important in terrestrial ecosystems.<br /> (© 2022 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2022 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1469-8137
Volume :
238
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The New phytologist
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
36739554
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18630