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Function and Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Carbon and Mineral Nutrition

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Mycorrhizal Ecology

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 157))

Abstract

The function of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) is discussed in terms of reciprocal nutrient exchange within single pairs of symbionts. Emphasis is on carbon and phosphate nutrition and on the importance of diversity of the organisms involved. Growth of the obligate biotrophic AM fungi in roots relies on carbon transferred across interfaces between the plant and the fungus. Carbon use by the fungus is discussed in qualitative and quantitative terms. Attention is paid to the plant species-dependent variability in the formation and probably also function of root internal fungal structures where the Paris type of AM may be most important in the ecological perspective. Different fungi vary greatly in the amount of phosphorus transported to the plant. Plant identity is an important determinant of the amount of phosphate transferred from a fungus. Changes in time and space in expression of fungal and plant P transporter genes are discussed with the aim of providing a better understanding of the co-ordination of mechanisms leading to a net transfer of P from fungus to plant in the symbiosis. Future studies with single pairs of symbionts should focus on those fungi which are dominant root colonisers in the field. Careful isolation and controlled experiments with these fungi will contribute to resolving frequent discrepancies between studies in pots and in the field.

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Authors
  1. I. Jakobsen
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  2. S. E. Smith
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  3. F. A. Smith
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Systems Ecology, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Free University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Marcel G. A. van der Heijden

  2. Institute of Ecology, University of Lausanne, Biology Building, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Ian R. Sanders

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Jakobsen, I., Smith, S.E., Smith, F.A. (2003). Function and Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Carbon and Mineral Nutrition. In: van der Heijden, M.G.A., Sanders, I.R. (eds) Mycorrhizal Ecology. Ecological Studies, vol 157. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38364-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-38364-2_3

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