Research Keyword: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Various types of mycorrhizal fungi sequences detected in single intracellular vesicles

Scientists discovered that two different types of beneficial fungi can live together inside the same tiny storage structure (vesicle) within plant roots. They designed new genetic tools to identify these fungi more accurately. This finding suggests that plants may have more complex fungal partnerships than previously understood, which could help us better understand how plants get nutrients from soil and improve agriculture.

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Arbuscular mycorrhiza suppresses microbial abundance, and particularly that of ammonia oxidizing bacteria, in agricultural soils

This study examined how a beneficial fungus called arbuscular mycorrhiza affects bacteria that break down ammonia in soil. Researchers tested 50 different agricultural soils and found that the fungus suppressed ammonia-oxidizing bacteria populations. Interestingly, the presence of the fungus actually increased ammonia levels in soil while decreasing nitrate, suggesting the relationship is more complex than simple competition for nutrients.

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Mycorrhizae and grapevines: the known unknowns of their interaction for wine growers’ challenges

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form beneficial partnerships with grapevine roots, helping plants absorb water and nutrients while improving stress tolerance. These fungi relationships begin in plant nurseries and continue in vineyards, but their effectiveness depends on the specific fungus species, vine variety, and farming practices like soil management and herbicide use. Using these fungi as biological stimulants could help grapevines cope with climate change challenges like drought and heat, though more field studies are needed to confirm their practical benefits.

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Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Assisted Phytoremediation: A Promising Strategy for Cadmium-Contaminated Soils

Cadmium contamination in farm soils poses serious threats to food safety and human health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial fungi that form partnerships with plant roots and can significantly reduce the amount of cadmium that plants absorb from contaminated soil. These fungi work through multiple mechanisms including physically trapping cadmium in soil, improving plant nutrition and stress resilience, and enhancing the plant’s natural detoxification systems. This natural approach offers a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for cleaning up contaminated agricultural land.

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Plants, fungi, and antifungals: A little less talk, a little more action

Plants and fungi communicate through small chemical molecules, and scientists are discovering that understanding this dialogue could lead to new antifungal medicines. Researchers found that a plant hormone called strigolactone affects a specific fungal protein involved in nutrient uptake, suggesting this could be a target for new drugs. By using baker’s yeast as a laboratory model, scientists can study how fungal cells respond to plant chemicals and identify new ways to fight dangerous fungal infections that are becoming resistant to current treatments.

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Legume-specific recruitment of rhizobia by hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Underground fungal networks connect different legume plants and act like sophisticated GPS systems for helpful bacteria. These fungi transport chemical signals (flavonoids) from plant roots along their hyphae, guiding specific types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to their correct host plants. This discovery shows how fungi help bacteria find the right plants to form symbiotic partnerships, improving natural nitrogen fixation and potentially reducing the need for chemical fertilizers in agriculture.

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Invasive plants decrease arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity and promote generalist fungal partners

When invasive plants take over ecosystems, they damage the underground fungal communities that native plants depend on. This study found that as invasive plants become more dominant, the diversity of helpful fungi decreases and is replaced by generalist fungi that can live with many plant types. This loss of fungal diversity weakens the overall ecosystem and makes it harder for native plants to thrive.

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Various types of mycorrhizal fungi sequences detected in single intracellular vesicles

Researchers discovered that single fatty droplet-like structures inside plant roots can contain genetic material from multiple types of fungi, both Glomeromycotina and Mucoromycotina. They developed new molecular tools to detect and identify these fungi without bias. This finding suggests fungi may live together more intimately than previously thought, which could help us better understand how plants get nutrients from fungal partners in soil.

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal networks—A climate-smart blueprint for agriculture

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial organisms that form partnerships with plant roots to improve crop health and productivity without relying heavily on synthetic chemicals. These fungal networks enhance soil health, help plants survive droughts and diseases, improve nutrient absorption, and redistribute water through the soil. By using proper farming practices like crop diversification and fungal inoculants, farmers can harness these natural networks to increase yields while reducing fertilizer costs and environmental pollution.

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Bio-stimulants for plant growth promotion and sustainable management of Rhizoctonia Solani causing black scurf of potato tubers

Researchers tested natural treatments called bio-stimulants to help potato plants fight black scurf disease caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia solani. They found that combining mycorrhizal fungi with seaweed extract was the most effective at reducing disease and improving potato quality. These natural treatments can enhance plant growth and tuber yield while reducing the need for chemical fungicides, making them valuable for sustainable potato farming.

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