A 60-year journey of mycorrhizal research in China: Past, present and future directions

Abstract

The significance of mycorrhizas (fungal roots in 90% of land plants) in plant nutrient acquisition and growth, element biogeochemical cycling and maintaining of terrestrial ecosystem structures has been globally established for more than 120 years. Great progress in mycorrhizal research in the past 60 years (1950-2009, 1981-2009 in particular) has also been made across China, particularly in the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. For instance, a total of 20 new and approximately 120 records of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal species, 30 new and approximately 800 records of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal species, a dozen of new and approximately 100 records of orchid mycorrhizal (OM) fungal species have been isolated by morphological observation and/or molecular identification in China since the 1950s. Great accomplishment has also been made in the following area, including fungal species richness and genetic structure, relationships between species composition and plant taxa, effects of mycorrhizal fungi on plant nutrient uptake and growth, resistances to pathogens and interactions with other soil microorganisms, potential of mycorrhizal fungi in phytoremediation and/or land reclamation, alterations of enzymatic activities in mycorrhizal plants, and elevated CO(2) and O(3) on root colonization and species diversity. Unfortunately, the international community cannot easily appreciate almost all Chinese mycorrhizal studies since the vast majority of them have been published in Chinese and/or in China-based journals. The aim of this review is to make a comprehensive exposure of the past and present China's major mycorrhizal research to the whole world, and then to suggest potential directions for the enhancement of future mycorrhizal research within and/or between the Chinese and international mycorrhizal community.

Alterations to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition is driven by warming at specific elevations

“…Mycorrhizas also play an important role in biodiversity of plants and ecosystem functions ( Zhao et al, 2017 ; He et al, 2010 ), by influencing plant community diversity and composition ( van der Heijden et al, 1998 ; van der Heijden, 2004 ; Pagano, Cabello & Scotti, 2010 ). Therefore, AMF play a fundamental role in the origin, evolution, distribution, survival, growth, and development of plants and larger ecosystem scale processes ( Liu & Wang, 2003 ; Wang & Qiu, 2006 ; Mcguire et al, 2008 ; Hiiesalu et al, 2014 ).…”

Effects of nitrogen deposition and phosphorus addition on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata)

“…Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a heterogeneous group of diverse fungal taxa and the most widespread fungal symbionts of plants, can establish mutualistic associations with the roots of over 80% of all terrestrial plant families, and plays a critical role in plant nutrient acquisition, growth, and ecosystem sustainability 1 – 3 . The network of AMF extraradical mycelium in the soil supports water and mineral nutrition of the host plant, especially for enhancing the supply of phosphates, by effectively absorbing and translocating mineral nutrients (e.g., N and P) beyond the depletion zones of the plant rhizosphere 4 , 5 .…”

Individual-based fine root biomass and its functional relationship with leaf for Pinus tabuliformis in northern China

“…The fine roots of Chinese pine are heavily infected by ectomycorrhizal fungi (Wang and Guo 2013), which can influence rates of nutrient acquisition by plants (He et al 2010). It is assumed that the larger surface area of fine roots found in this study led to a greater colonization rate by ectomycorrhizal fungi, though further research is recommended for verification, but is beyond the focus of this paper.…”