First Evidences that the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Paxillus involutus Mobilizes Nitrogen and Carbon from Saprotrophic Fungus Necromass

This research reveals how certain forest fungi can recycle nutrients from dead fungal material and share them with trees. The study shows that a specific tree-partnering fungus (Paxillus involutus) can extract both nitrogen and carbon from dead fungal matter, and then transfer primarily nitrogen to its tree partner. This discovery has several important implications for everyday life: • Helps explain how forests maintain their fertility through natural recycling processes • Demonstrates the importance of preserving fungal diversity in forest ecosystems • Provides insights that could improve forest management practices • Could inform development of more sustainable agricultural practices • Contributes to our understanding of carbon storage in forest soils