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Enhancing consistency in arbuscular mycorrhizal trait-based research to improve predictions of function

Summary

This review addresses how to better study fungal partners that help plants grow by proposing standardized methods to measure fungal characteristics. These fungi form beneficial partnerships with plant roots, improving nutrient uptake and soil health. By developing consistent measurement approaches and databases of fungal traits, scientists can better predict how these fungi affect plants and ecosystems.

Background

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are obligate plant symbionts influencing plant health, soil processes, and ecosystem functioning. Despite advances in molecular techniques, understanding AM fungal communities’ roles based on taxonomy remains challenging, necessitating a trait-based framework approach.

Objective

To develop a standardized trait-based framework for AM fungi that integrates morphological, physiological, and genetic traits to improve predictions of ecological function across host plants, soil environments, and fungal ecology.

Results

The review catalogs key AM fungal traits across morphological (spore characteristics, hyphal architecture), physiological (enzymes, nutrient transporters), and genetic dimensions (genome size, nuclear content). Proposes standardized measurement approaches and identifies knowledge gaps in understanding trait-function relationships under varying environmental conditions.

Conclusion

Establishing a comprehensive, standardized trait-based database for AM fungi alongside consistent measurement protocols will improve ecosystem function predictability. Inclusion of underrepresented taxa and integration of machine learning advances are essential for developing robust predictive models of AM fungal ecology.
  • Published in:Mycorrhiza,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1007/s00572-025-01187-7, PMID: 40009242
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