Research Keyword: nutrient uptake

Mycelial dynamics in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

This review examines the intricate underground networks formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which partner with most land plants to help them absorb nutrients from soil. These fungal networks are far more complex and dynamic than previously recognized, expanding through the soil in coordinated wave-like patterns and responding flexibly to changing environmental conditions. The research highlights that viewing these fungal networks as a unified, responsive system rather than separate parts can help us better understand how they support plant growth and maintain healthy ecosystems.

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Ectomycorrhizal fungi recruit hyphae-associated bacteria that metabolize thiamine to promote pine symbiosis

Pine trees partner with special fungi that help them absorb nutrients from soil. However, these fungi sometimes lack vitamin B1 (thiamine) needed for growth. Researchers discovered that these fungi recruit helpful bacteria that produce thiamine, creating a three-way partnership. When all three partners work together, pine seedlings grow much better, showing how nature uses teamwork to help plants thrive in forests.

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Root anatomy governs bi-directional resource transfer in mycorrhizal symbiosis

Researchers developed a new theory explaining how plant roots and fungi work together to exchange nutrients and carbon. The theory shows that thicker roots are less efficient at absorbing nutrients on their own, but mycorrhizal fungi help by positioning themselves in the inner layers of roots to reduce the energy cost of nutrient transport. This partnership between roots and fungi becomes increasingly important for thicker roots, explaining why many plants with thick roots depend more heavily on fungal partners for survival.

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Ericoid mycorrhizal growth response is influenced by host plant phylogeny

Scientists studied how different types of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi affect the growth of nine different plants related to heather and blueberries. They found that the benefits a plant gets from a fungal partner depend on which specific plant and fungus are paired together, and that a plant’s evolutionary family history can predict how well it will respond to different fungi. These findings could help conservation efforts restore damaged heathlands and wetlands by choosing the right fungal partners for each plant species.

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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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Can the DSE Fungus Exserohilum rostratum Mitigate the Effect of Salinity on the Grass Chloris gayana?

Researchers tested whether a fungus called Exserohilum rostratum could help a forage grass called Rhodes grass survive in salty soil. The fungus did tolerate salt and helped the grass maintain better nutrient balance under salt stress, but it couldn’t fully protect the grass from severe salinity. The benefits were most noticeable under moderate salt conditions, suggesting the fungus works best in less extreme environments.

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In Vitro Mycorrhization for Plant Propagation and Enhanced Resilience to Environmental Stress: A Review

This review examines how beneficial fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be grown alongside plants in laboratory conditions to improve plant growth and stress tolerance. These fungi form partnerships with plant roots, helping them absorb more nutrients and water while protecting them from diseases and environmental stress. By combining this mycorrhizal inoculation with plant tissue culture techniques, scientists can produce large numbers of healthier, more resilient plants for agriculture.

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The Biocontrol and Growth-Promoting Potential of Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. in Sustainable Agriculture

This review explores how two common fungi, Penicillium and Trichoderma, can help crops grow better and resist diseases naturally. These beneficial fungi live in plant roots and soil, providing nutrients, protecting against harmful pathogens, and helping plants cope with environmental stress. They offer an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers, making them valuable for sustainable agriculture.

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Leucocalocybe mongolica inoculation enhances rice growth by reallocating resources from flavonoid defense to development via MYB/bHLH/WRKY networks

A fungal strain called Leucocalocybe mongolica (LY9) can help rice plants grow bigger and healthier by improving how they use nutrients and sunlight. Interestingly, when plants grow better with this fungus, they produce fewer defensive compounds called flavonoids, but they still maintain some protective molecules. This research shows that the fungus helps plants decide to invest more energy in growth rather than defense, making it a promising natural fertilizer for farming.

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Plant–Fungi Mutualism, Alternative Splicing, and Defense Responses: Balancing Symbiosis and Immunity

Fungi and plants form partnerships that help plants grow better and resist stress, with fungi receiving sugars from plants in return for nutrients from the soil. This review explains how a cellular process called alternative splicing acts like a molecular switch that lets plants accept beneficial fungi while keeping the ability to fight off harmful pathogens. Understanding this balance could help farmers grow healthier crops with less chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

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