Fungal Species: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi)

Root anatomy governs bi-directional resource transfer in mycorrhizal symbiosis

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This research reveals how the shape and structure of plant roots influence their ability to exchange nutrients and carbon with symbiotic fungi. The study shows that thicker roots face challenges in efficiently acquiring nutrients because they require more energy to transport nutrients across their thicker outer tissues. Fortunately, mycorrhizal fungi can help overcome this limitation when they position themselves deeper within the root structure, reducing the energy cost of moving nutrients to the plant’s vascular system.

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The influence of mycorrhizal hyphal connections and neighbouring plants on Plantago lanceolata physiology and nutrient uptake

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Fungi that live in soil form partnerships with plant roots and can extend underground networks connecting multiple plants. In this study, plants with access to expanded fungal networks captured more carbon through photosynthesis, accumulated more nutrients like phosphorus and zinc, and released more carbon into the soil. However, whether neighboring plants were present or what type they were did not significantly change these benefits, suggesting that soil exploration volume matters more than plant-to-plant connections through fungal networks.

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