The Structure and Function of the Ericoid Mycorrhizal Root

Read, David

doi:10.1006/anbo.1996.0044

Cited by 254 publications

(192 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Nevertheless, investigators must measure root length to calculate this variable, so it is more timedemanding-and sometimes less feasible-than measuring PRLC alone. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi also produce extraradical hyphae that extend into the surrounding soil much further than do root hairs (Rhodes and Gerdemann 1975;Read 1984;Friese and Allen 1991). These hyphae are responsible for nutrient uptake by AMF from soil, so standing hyphal length in soils is another frequently-used index of AMF biomass (e.g., Bardgett 1991;Sylvia 1992;Schweiger and Jakobsen 2000;Hart and Reader 2002a).…”

Section: How Are Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Assessed?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The extent of mycorrhizal colonization of roots and its influence on plant growth and phosphorus content

2013

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Aims The most common metric of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) abundance is percent root length colonized (PRLC) by mycorrhizal structures. Frequently, plants with greater PRLC are assumed to receive more nutrients (such as phosphorus, P) from their mycorrhizal symbionts, leading to greater plant growth. Nevertheless, the functional significance of this metric remains controversial. In this review, I discuss whether manipulations of PRLC generally led to changes in plant biomass and P content, and whether AMF taxa and plant functional groups influence these relationships. Methods I conducted a meta-analysis of laboratoryand field-based trials in which mycorrhizal colonization was directly altered compared to unmanipulated controls. For each trial, I calculated (1) the difference in PRLC (ΔPRLC) between the treatments, and (2) the response ratio of plant biomass. In a subset of these studies, the response ratio of P content of host plants could also be calculated. ResultsThe response ratio of plant biomass and P content rose significantly and exponentially as ΔPRLC increased. Nevertheless, ΔPRLC explained only a fraction of the variation in response ratios in each case. Moreover, AMF taxa varied in their effects on biomass per unit ΔPRLC. In addition, plant functional groups differed in effects on plant P content per unit ΔPRLC, with C4 grasses responding most strongly. Conclusions It appears that as the extent to which plant roots are colonized by AMF increases, plant growth and P content often increase, although substantial variability exists among trials. As others have found, a likely mechanism for this relationship is increased transfer of P (and perhaps other nutrients) through the more-prevalent mycorrhizal structures.

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Section: How Are Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Assessed?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The extent of mycorrhizal colonization of roots and its influence on plant growth and phosphorus content

2013

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“…Ericoid mycorrhizal infection is ubiquitous in root systems of plants in the Ericales on nutrient-poor heathland sites in both northern and southern hemispheres (Read, 1996). The presence of the ericoid mycorrhizal association is regarded as a key factor in the success of the Ericales in such habitats, with enhanced availability of nutrients, especially nitrogen, thought to be the principle advantage conferred upon the host plant by the fungal endophytes (Read, 1991(Read, , 1996.…”

Section: mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The presence of the ericoid mycorrhizal association is regarded as a key factor in the success of the Ericales in such habitats, with enhanced availability of nutrients, especially nitrogen, thought to be the principle advantage conferred upon the host plant by the fungal endophytes (Read, 1991(Read, , 1996. Ericoid mycorrhizas typically produce little extramatrical mycelium and an intracellular fungus -root interface comprising hyphal coils of variable density within epidermal cells of hair roots (see Smith & Read, 1997).…”

Section: mentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular diversity of ericoid mycorrhizal endophytes isolated from Woollsia pungens

1998

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One hundred and sixty-eight sterile endophytic mycelia were isolated from roots of four Woollsia pungens (Cav.) F. Muell. (Epacridaceae) plants collected from a field site in New South Wales, Australia. All isolates formed typical ericoid mycorrhizal structures when inoculated onto roots of Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. (Ericaceae). Microsatellite-primed PCR fingerprints generated using the primers (GTG) & and (GACA) % indicated that considerable genetic diversity exists within the endophyte population. It was estimated that a minimum of 43 genetically distinct mycelial genets were present in the root systems of the sampled W. pungens population, with most genets confined to individual plants. Two genets, however, were present within the root systems of two adjacent plants. While most genets were represented by less than eight isolates, three genets contained up to 41 isolates, suggesting that root system colonization by some endophytic mycelia might be extensive.

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“…Ectomycorrhizal fungi improve water balance of host plants, reduce impact on trees from root pathogens [72], and mobilize essential plant nutrients directly from the soil [106]. Some EM form extensive mycelia connected by different hyphal strands called rhizomorphs which transport water and nutrients over long distances [107]. Some Eucalyptus species such as E. camaldulensis form AM [16,18], and their use in transgenic plants is increasing [108].…”

Section: Reforestation In Dry Forestmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mycorrhizal Interactions for Reforestation: Constraints to Dryland Agroforest in Brazil

Pagano

Cabello

2011

ISRN Ecology

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Reforestation provides restoration of forest ecosystem services including improved soil fertility, which leads to increased productivity and/or sustainability of the system. Trees also increase the average carbon stocks providing wood supply for local communities; however, C sequestration strategies highlight tree plantations without considering their full environmental consequences, such as losses in stream flow. The productivity of a site is a consequence of their physical, chemical, and biological properties, resulting in natural fertile soils or adequate managed soils for improved quality. Thus, it is required to know the variations in the properties of land-use systems for adoptability of agroforestry innovations. The choice of agroforestry tree species (highly mycorrhizal dependent plants should be selected) would have great implications for the manipulation of arbuscular mycorrhizas's species. In dry forest, the inevitable consequence of cutting has been the loss of vegetation cover and insufficient scientific information on the capacity to optimize forest recuperation affects agroforestry adoption. To study the biological properties of soils is now of interest; therefore, this paper reviews the literature that has hitherto been published on mycorrhizal interactions for reforestation and points out the use of mycorrhizal technology as one of the alternatives to improve forest products and environmental quality.

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The Structure and Function of the Ericoid Mycorrhizal Root

Cited by 254 publications

References 61 publications

The extent of mycorrhizal colonization of roots and its influence on plant growth and phosphorus content

The extent of mycorrhizal colonization of roots and its influence on plant growth and phosphorus content

Molecular diversity of ericoid mycorrhizal endophytes isolated from Woollsia pungens

Mycorrhizal Interactions for Reforestation: Constraints to Dryland Agroforest in Brazil

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