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Devin R Leopold - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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diversity of putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi increases with soil age and progressive phosphorus limitation across a 4 1 million year chronosequence
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2021Co-Authors: Devin R Leopold, Kabir G Peay, Peter M Vitousek, Tadashi FukamiAbstract:Ericaceous plants rely on Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition. However, the factors that affect the composition and structure of fungal communities associated with the roots of ericaceous plants remain largely unknown. Here, we use a 4.1-million-year (myr) soil chronosequence in Hawaii to test the hypothesis that changes in nutrient availability with soil age determine the diversity and species composition of fungi associated with Ericoid roots. We sampled roots of a native Hawaiian plant, Vaccinium calycinum, and used DNA metabarcoding to quantify changes in fungal diversity and community composition. We also used a fertilization experiment at the youngest and oldest sites to assess the importance of nutrient limitation. We found an increase in diversity and a clear pattern of species turnover across the chronosequence, driven largely by putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Fertilization with nitrogen at the youngest site and phosphorus at the oldest site reduced fungal diversity, suggesting a direct role of nutrient limitation. Our results also reveal the presence of novel fungal species associated with Hawaiian Ericaceae and suggest a greater importance of phosphorus availability for communities of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi than is generally assumed.
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diversity of putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi increases with soil age and progressive phosphorus limitation across a 4 1 million year chronosequence
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2021Co-Authors: Devin R Leopold, Kabir G Peay, Peter M Vitousek, Tadashi FukamiAbstract:Ericaceous plants rely on Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition. However, the factors that affect the composition and structure of fungal communities associated with the roots of ericaceous plants remain largely unknown. Here, we use a 4.1-myr soil chronosequence in Hawaii to test the hypothesis that changes in nutrient availability with soil age determine the diversity and species composition of fungi associated with Ericoid roots. We sampled roots of a native Hawaiian plant, Vaccinium calycinum, and used DNA metabarcoding to quantify changes in fungal diversity and community composition. We also used a fertilization experiment at the youngest and oldest sites to assess the importance of nutrient limitation. We found an increase in diversity and a clear pattern of species turnover across the chronosequence, driven largely by putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Fertilization with nitrogen at the youngest site and phosphorus at the oldest site reduced fungal diversity, suggesting a direct role of nutrient limitation. Our results also reveal the presence of novel fungal species associated with Hawaiian Ericaceae and suggest a greater importance of phosphorus availability for communities of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi than is generally assumed.
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Ericoid mycorrhizal diversity increases with soil age and progressive phosphorus limitation across a 4 1 million year chronosequence
bioRxiv, 2020Co-Authors: Devin R Leopold, Kabir G Peay, Peter M Vitousek, Tadashi FukamiAbstract:Abstract Ericaceous plants rely on Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition. However, the factors that affect the composition and structure of these fungal communities remain largely unknown. Here, we use a 4.1-myr soil chronosequence in Hawaii to test the hypothesis that changes in nutrient availability with soil age determine the diversity and species composition of fungi associated with Ericoid roots. We sampled roots of a native Hawaiian plant, Vaccinium calycinum, and used DNA metabarcoding to quantify changes in fungal diversity and species composition. We also used a fertilization experiment at the youngest and oldest sites to assess the importance of nutrient limitation. We found an increase in diversity and a clear pattern of species turnover across the chronosequence, driven largely by putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Fertilization with nitrogen at the youngest site and phosphorus at the oldest site reduced total fungal diversity, suggesting a direct role of nutrient limitation. Our results also reveal the presence of novel fungal species associated with Hawaiian Ericaceae and suggest a greater importance of phosphorus availability for communities of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi than is generally assumed.
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Ericoid fungal diversity challenges and opportunities for mycorrhizal research
Fungal Ecology, 2016Co-Authors: Devin R LeopoldAbstract:Abstract Ericoid mycorrhiza occur only within the plant family Ericaceae, yet are globally widespread and contribute to carbon and nutrient cycling in many habitats where harsh conditions limit decomposition and plant nutrient uptake. An increasingly diverse range of fungi are recognized as Ericoid symbionts and patterns in the distribution of Ericoid taxa are beginning to emerge across scales. However, the true diversity of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi remains unresolved due to limited sampling from some regions and challenges associated with delineating mycorrhizal taxa from the broader fungal community associated with Ericoid plants. Interpreting patterns in the diversity and distributions of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi will ultimately require improved understanding of their functional ecology and functional diversity, which is currently limited to a few well studied species. Fortunately, many Ericoid taxa are amenable to experimental manipulation and continued Ericoid mycorrhizal research promises to improve general understanding of the ecology and evolution of mycorrhizal symbioses.
Silvia Perotto - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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E (2002) Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi: some new perspectives on old acquaintances. Plant and Soil 244: 41–45
2020Co-Authors: Silvia Perotto, Mariangela Girlanda, Elena MartinoAbstract:Abstract Many ericaceous species colonize as pioneer plants substrates ranging from arid sandy soils to moist mor humus, in association with their mycorrhizal fungi. Thanks to the symbiosis with Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, ericaceous plants are also able to grow in highly polluted environments, where metal ions can reach toxic levels in the soil substrate. For a long time this mycorrhizal type has been regarded as an example of a highly specific interaction between plants and fungi. More recent studies have been challenging this view because some Ericoid mycorrhizal endophytes seem also able to colonise plants from very distant taxa. A molecular approach has allowed the investigation of genetic diversity and molecular ecology of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, and has revealed that ericaceous plants can be very promiscuous, with multiple occupancy of their thin roots. The molecular analysis of sterile morphotypes involved in this symbiosis has also led to deeper understanding of the species diversity of Ericoid fungi. Genetic polymorphism of Ericoid fungi is wider than previously thought, and often increased by the presence of Group I introns in the nuclear small subunit rDNA
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The hydrophobin-like OmSSP1 may be an effector in the Ericoid mycorrhizal symbiosis
Frontiers in plant science, 2018Co-Authors: Salvatore Casarrubia, Francis Martin, Silvia Perotto, Stefania Daghino, Emmanuelle Morin, Hassine Radhouane Khouja, Yohann Daguerre, Claire Veneault-fourrey, Elena MartinoAbstract:Mutualistic and pathogenic plant-colonizing fungi use effector molecules to manipulate the host cell metabolism to allow plant tissue invasion. Some small secreted proteins (SSPs) have been identified as fungal effectors in both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, but it is currently unknown whether SSPs also play a role as effectors in other mycorrhizal associations. Ericoid mycorrhiza is a specific endomycorrhizal type that involves symbiotic fungi mostly belonging to the Leotiomycetes (Ascomycetes) and plants in the family Ericaceae. Genomic and RNASeq data from the Ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Oidiodendron maius led to the identification of several symbiosis-upregulated genes encoding putative SSPs. OmSSP1, the most highly symbiosis up-regulated SSP, was found to share some features with fungal hydrophobins, even though it lacks the Pfam hydrophobin domain. Sequence alignment with other hydrophobins and hydrophobin-like fungal proteins placed OmSSP1 within Class I hydrophobins. However, the predicted features of OmSSP1 may suggest a distinct type of hydrophobin-like proteins. The presence of a predicted signal peptide and a yeast-based signal sequence trap assay demonstrate that OmSSP1 is secreted. OmSSP1 null-mutants showed a reduced capacity to form Ericoid mycorrhiza with Vaccinium myrtillus roots, suggesting a role as effectors in the Ericoid mycorrhizal interaction.
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Data_Sheet_1_The Hydrophobin-Like OmSSP1 May Be an Effector in the Ericoid Mycorrhizal Symbiosis.docx
2018Co-Authors: Salvatore Casarrubia, Silvia Perotto, Stefania Daghino, Emmanuelle Morin, Hassine Radhouane Khouja, Yohann Daguerre, Claire Veneault-fourrey, Francis M. Martin, Elena MartinoAbstract:Mutualistic and pathogenic plant-colonizing fungi use effector molecules to manipulate the host cell metabolism to allow plant tissue invasion. Some small secreted proteins (SSPs) have been identified as fungal effectors in both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, but it is currently unknown whether SSPs also play a role as effectors in other mycorrhizal associations. Ericoid mycorrhiza is a specific endomycorrhizal type that involves symbiotic fungi mostly belonging to the Leotiomycetes (Ascomycetes) and plants in the family Ericaceae. Genomic and RNASeq data from the Ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Oidiodendron maius led to the identification of several symbiosis-upregulated genes encoding putative SSPs. OmSSP1, the most highly symbiosis up-regulated SSP, was found to share some features with fungal hydrophobins, even though it lacks the Pfam hydrophobin domain. Sequence alignment with other hydrophobins and hydrophobin-like fungal proteins placed OmSSP1 within Class I hydrophobins. However, the predicted features of OmSSP1 may suggest a distinct type of hydrophobin-like proteins. The presence of a predicted signal peptide and a yeast-based signal sequence trap assay demonstrate that OmSSP1 is secreted. OmSSP1 null-mutants showed a reduced capacity to form Ericoid mycorrhiza with Vaccinium myrtillus roots, suggesting a role as effectors in the Ericoid mycorrhizal interaction.
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Table_4_The Hydrophobin-Like OmSSP1 May Be an Effector in the Ericoid Mycorrhizal Symbiosis.xlsx
2018Co-Authors: Salvatore Casarrubia, Silvia Perotto, Stefania Daghino, Emmanuelle Morin, Hassine Radhouane Khouja, Yohann Daguerre, Claire Veneault-fourrey, Francis M. Martin, Elena MartinoAbstract:Mutualistic and pathogenic plant-colonizing fungi use effector molecules to manipulate the host cell metabolism to allow plant tissue invasion. Some small secreted proteins (SSPs) have been identified as fungal effectors in both ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, but it is currently unknown whether SSPs also play a role as effectors in other mycorrhizal associations. Ericoid mycorrhiza is a specific endomycorrhizal type that involves symbiotic fungi mostly belonging to the Leotiomycetes (Ascomycetes) and plants in the family Ericaceae. Genomic and RNASeq data from the Ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Oidiodendron maius led to the identification of several symbiosis-upregulated genes encoding putative SSPs. OmSSP1, the most highly symbiosis up-regulated SSP, was found to share some features with fungal hydrophobins, even though it lacks the Pfam hydrophobin domain. Sequence alignment with other hydrophobins and hydrophobin-like fungal proteins placed OmSSP1 within Class I hydrophobins. However, the predicted features of OmSSP1 may suggest a distinct type of hydrophobin-like proteins. The presence of a predicted signal peptide and a yeast-based signal sequence trap assay demonstrate that OmSSP1 is secreted. OmSSP1 null-mutants showed a reduced capacity to form Ericoid mycorrhiza with Vaccinium myrtillus roots, suggesting a role as effectors in the Ericoid mycorrhizal interaction.
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Model systems to unravel the molecular mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance in the Ericoid mycorrhizal symbiosis
Mycorrhiza, 2016Co-Authors: Stefania Daghino, Elena Martino, Silvia PerottoAbstract:Ericoid mycorrhizal plants dominate in harsh environments where nutrient-poor, acidic soil conditions result in a higher availability of potentially toxic metals. Although metal-tolerant plant species and ecotypes are known in the Ericaceae, metal tolerance in these plants has been mainly attributed to their association with Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. The mechanisms underlying plant protection by the fungal symbiont are poorly understood, whereas some insights have been achieved regarding the molecular mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance in the fungal symbiont. This review will briefly introduce the general features of heavy metal tolerance in mycorrhizal fungi and will then focus on the use of “omics” approaches and heterologous expression in model organisms to reveal the molecular bases of fungal response to heavy metals. Functional complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has allowed the identification of several Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi genes (i.e., antioxidant enzymes, metal transporters, and DNA damage repair proteins) that may contribute to metal tolerance in a metal-tolerant Ericoid Oidiodendron maius isolate. Although a powerful system, the use of the yeast complementation assay to study metal tolerance in mycorrhizal symbioses has limitations. Thus, O. maius has been developed as a model system to study heavy metal tolerance mechanisms in mycorrhizal fungi, thanks to its high metal tolerance, easy handling and in vitro mycorrhization, stable genetic transformation, genomics, transcriptomic and proteomic resources.
Andrew A Meharg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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small genetic differences between Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi affect nitrogen uptake by vaccinium
New Phytologist, 2009Co-Authors: Gwenaelle Grelet, Andrew A Meharg, E I Duff, Ian C Anderson, Ian J. AlexanderAbstract:Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi have been shown to differ in their pattern of nitrogen (N) use in pure culture. Here, we investigate whether this functional variation is maintained in symbiosis using three ascomycetes from a clade not previously shown to include Ericoid mycorrhizal taxa. Vaccinium macrocarpon and Vaccinium vitis-idaea were inoculated with three fungal strains known to form coils in Vaccinium roots, which differed in their patterns of N use in liquid culture. (15)N was used to trace the uptake of -N, -N and glutamine-N into shoots. (15)N transfer differed among the three fungal strains, including two that had identical internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, and was quantitatively related to fungal growth in liquid culture at low carbon availability. These results demonstrate that functional differences among closely related Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi are maintained in symbiosis with their hosts, and suggest that N transfer to plant shoots in Ericoid mycorrhizas is under fungal control.
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carbon availability affects nitrogen source utilisation by hymenoscyphus ericae
Fungal Biology, 2005Co-Authors: Gwenaelle Grelet, Andrew A Meharg, Ian J. AlexanderAbstract:We compared the ability of five strains of the Ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Hymenoscyphus ericae to utilise glutamine, ammonium or nitrate at high or low carbon (C) availability. The pattern of intraspecific variation in growth was affected by C availability. When C supply was high, growth differences between strains were explained by the total amount of nitrogen (N) taken up, suggesting variation in uptake kinetics. Under C-limiting conditions, strain differences were linked with their nitrogen use efficiency, implying intraspecific differences in N metabolism. The relationship between growth on glutamine and pH shifts in the media indicated that there was intraspecific variation in glutamine transporters. In addition, the correlation between pH changes and the amount of glutamine-N recovered as ammonium in the media indicated that there were intraspecific variations within the enzymatic pathways involved in glutamine metabolism. Our findings, compared with those of a previous study involving the same Ericoid strains, draw attention to the temporal variation in nitrogen source utilisation by Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi when maintained in axenic culture.
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Ericoid mycorrhiza a partnership that exploits harsh edaphic conditions
European Journal of Soil Science, 2003Co-Authors: John Cairney, Andrew A MehargAbstract:Summary Plants that form Ericoid mycorrhizal associations are widespread in harsh habitats. Ericoid mycorrhizal fungal endophytes are a genetically diverse group, and they appear to be able to alleviate certain environmental stresses and so facilitate the establishment and survival of Ericaceae. Some of the fungal taxa that form Ericoid mycorrhizas, or at least closely related strains, also form associations with other plant hosts (trees and leafy liverworts). The functional significance of these associations and putative mycelial links between Ericaceae and other plant taxa, however, remain unclear. Evidence from environments that are contaminated by toxic metals indicates that Ericoid mycorrhizal fungal endophytes, and in some instances their plant hosts, can evolve resistance to these metals. The apparent ability of these endophytes to develop resistance enables Ericoid mycorrhizal plants to colonize polluted soil. This seems to be a major factor in the success of Ericoid mycorrhizal taxa in a range of harsh environments.
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calluna vulgaris root cells show increased capacity for amino acid uptake when colonized with the mycorrhizal fungus hymenoscyphus ericae
New Phytologist, 2002Co-Authors: Sergei G Sokolovski, Andrew A Meharg, Frans J. M. MaathuisAbstract:Summary • Ericoid mycorrhizas are believed to improve N nutrition of many ericaceous plant species that typically occur in habitats with impoverished nutrient status, by releasing amino acids from organic N forms. Despite the ubiquity of mycorrhizal formation the mechanisms and regulation of nutrient transport in mycorrhizal associations are poorly understood. • We used an electrophysiological approach to study how amino acid transport characteristics of Calluna vulgaris were affected by colonization with the Ericoid mycorrhiza fungus Hymenoscyphus ericae . • Both the Vmax and Km parameters of amino acid uptake were affected by fungal colonization in a manner consistent with an increased availability of amino acid to the plant. • The ecophysiological significance of altered amino acid transport in colonized root cells of C. vulgaris is discussed.
Tadashi Fukami - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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diversity of putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi increases with soil age and progressive phosphorus limitation across a 4 1 million year chronosequence
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2021Co-Authors: Devin R Leopold, Kabir G Peay, Peter M Vitousek, Tadashi FukamiAbstract:Ericaceous plants rely on Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition. However, the factors that affect the composition and structure of fungal communities associated with the roots of ericaceous plants remain largely unknown. Here, we use a 4.1-million-year (myr) soil chronosequence in Hawaii to test the hypothesis that changes in nutrient availability with soil age determine the diversity and species composition of fungi associated with Ericoid roots. We sampled roots of a native Hawaiian plant, Vaccinium calycinum, and used DNA metabarcoding to quantify changes in fungal diversity and community composition. We also used a fertilization experiment at the youngest and oldest sites to assess the importance of nutrient limitation. We found an increase in diversity and a clear pattern of species turnover across the chronosequence, driven largely by putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Fertilization with nitrogen at the youngest site and phosphorus at the oldest site reduced fungal diversity, suggesting a direct role of nutrient limitation. Our results also reveal the presence of novel fungal species associated with Hawaiian Ericaceae and suggest a greater importance of phosphorus availability for communities of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi than is generally assumed.
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diversity of putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi increases with soil age and progressive phosphorus limitation across a 4 1 million year chronosequence
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2021Co-Authors: Devin R Leopold, Kabir G Peay, Peter M Vitousek, Tadashi FukamiAbstract:Ericaceous plants rely on Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition. However, the factors that affect the composition and structure of fungal communities associated with the roots of ericaceous plants remain largely unknown. Here, we use a 4.1-myr soil chronosequence in Hawaii to test the hypothesis that changes in nutrient availability with soil age determine the diversity and species composition of fungi associated with Ericoid roots. We sampled roots of a native Hawaiian plant, Vaccinium calycinum, and used DNA metabarcoding to quantify changes in fungal diversity and community composition. We also used a fertilization experiment at the youngest and oldest sites to assess the importance of nutrient limitation. We found an increase in diversity and a clear pattern of species turnover across the chronosequence, driven largely by putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Fertilization with nitrogen at the youngest site and phosphorus at the oldest site reduced fungal diversity, suggesting a direct role of nutrient limitation. Our results also reveal the presence of novel fungal species associated with Hawaiian Ericaceae and suggest a greater importance of phosphorus availability for communities of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi than is generally assumed.
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Ericoid mycorrhizal diversity increases with soil age and progressive phosphorus limitation across a 4 1 million year chronosequence
bioRxiv, 2020Co-Authors: Devin R Leopold, Kabir G Peay, Peter M Vitousek, Tadashi FukamiAbstract:Abstract Ericaceous plants rely on Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient acquisition. However, the factors that affect the composition and structure of these fungal communities remain largely unknown. Here, we use a 4.1-myr soil chronosequence in Hawaii to test the hypothesis that changes in nutrient availability with soil age determine the diversity and species composition of fungi associated with Ericoid roots. We sampled roots of a native Hawaiian plant, Vaccinium calycinum, and used DNA metabarcoding to quantify changes in fungal diversity and species composition. We also used a fertilization experiment at the youngest and oldest sites to assess the importance of nutrient limitation. We found an increase in diversity and a clear pattern of species turnover across the chronosequence, driven largely by putative Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. Fertilization with nitrogen at the youngest site and phosphorus at the oldest site reduced total fungal diversity, suggesting a direct role of nutrient limitation. Our results also reveal the presence of novel fungal species associated with Hawaiian Ericaceae and suggest a greater importance of phosphorus availability for communities of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi than is generally assumed.
David Read - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Lignin and soluble phenolic degradation by ectomycorrhizal and Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi
Fungal Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Gary D. Bending, David ReadAbstract:The organic soil horizons of heathland and temperate forest ecosystems are characteristically rich in phenolics, which present barriers to organic N availability to the microflora. The abilities of ectomycorrhizal (ECM), Ericoid mycorrhizal and wood decomposing saprotrophic fungi to degrade model compounds representing the insoluble phenolic lignin, and soluble phenolics, which provide physical and chemical barriers respectively to organic N availability, were compared. No clear relationship was found between ability to degrade lignin and soluble phenolics. The presumptive assays indicated that most mycorrhizal fungi have only low abilities to degrade these compounds relative to the wood decomposing fungi. In general, Ericoid mycorrhiza fungi were capable of greater phenolic degradation than most ECM species, and degradative ability was associated with production of phenol-oxidizing enzymes. In no case was presumptive degradation of lignin or soluble phenolic, or production of phenol-oxidizing enzymes by mycorrhizal fungi as great as that of the wood decomposing fungi. In the case of the Ericoid endophyte Hymenoscyphus ericae , phenol-oxidation was associated with production of an extracellular o-polyphenol oxidase (tyrosinase) which showed optimal activity at a pH of 5–5.5 and temperature of 30°C. The ecological significance of the results is discussed.
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nitrogen mobilization from protein polyphenol complex by Ericoid and ectomycorrhizal fungi
Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 1996Co-Authors: Gary D. Bending, David ReadAbstract:Abstract The horizons of forest and heathland soils in which mycorrhizal roots proliferate typically contain large quantities of polyphenolic materials. These have the potential to bind organic nitrogen in recalcitrant complexes, thereby influencing availability of N to the fungal symbionts. The protein-binding abilities of aqueous extracts of forest soils were examined, and those derived from birch and pine sites were found to bind protein even when present in low concentrations. The effect of polyphenols upon availability of protein to ectomycorrhizal (ECM), Ericoid mycorrhizal and wood-decomposing saprophytic fungi was investigated using the soluble polyphenol tannic acid (TA), and protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). While the saprophytic fungi were able to mobilize the precipitate, only three of 18 ECM fungi tested were able to do so. The Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi were capable of partial clearance of the precipitate. It was demonstrated that the Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi had access to N contained in protein complexed by TA, while ECM fungi did not. The extracellular proteases of Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi remained active in the presence of TA, while those of the ECM fungi were inhibited. The Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi and several ECM fungi showed abilities to metabolise TA contained in TA-BSA precipitate.
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Ericoid mycorrhizas and rhizoid ascomycete associations in liverworts share the same mycobiont isolation of the partners and resynthesis of the associations in vitro
New Phytologist, 1995Co-Authors: Jeffrey G. Duckett, David ReadAbstract:SUMMARY The hypothesis was tested that rhizoids of leafy liverworts of the families Lepidoziaceae, Calypogeiaceae, Cephaloziaceae and Cephaloziellaceae can be infected by the ascomycetous fungal endophyte Hymenoscyphus ericae which forms Ericoid mycorrhiza with the major ericaceous genera Calluna, Erica, Rhododendron and Vaccinium. The extent of the specificity of any such association was also examined by growing the liverworts with pure cultures of the putative ascomycetous Ericoid endophyte Oidiodendron, with the basidiomycetous endophyte of orchids, Ceratobasidium cornigerum, and with several ectomycorrhizal fungi. It was confirmed that the members of these liverwort families tested, most of which are associated in nature with ericaceous plants, were readily infected by H. ericae, as well as by isolates obtained from the liverworts themselves. The latter, when used to challenge aseptically grown seedlings of the ericaceous genera on water agar, produced typical Ericoid mycorrhiza. Neither the Oidiodendron isolates nor the orchid or ectomycorrhizal fungi infected the liverworts, and all failed to reproduce the characteristic swelling of the rhizoid tips which is seen in nature and in plants inoculated with H. ericae.
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experiments with Ericoid mycorrhiza
Methods in Microbiology, 1991Co-Authors: Jonathan R Leake, David ReadAbstract:Publisher Summary This chapter discusses experiments with Ericoid mycorrhiza. There is a description of the procedures for isolation, culture, and re-inoculation of the mycorrhizal endophyte. The extent to which systematic experimental analysis of the response of host plants to infection has enabled justifiably to apply the term “mycorrhizal” to the relationship between H. ericae and its host plants is then examined. The reductionist approach to analysis of mycorrhizal function, exemplified most widely by experiments in which the processes of uptake of a single mineral ion are studied under controlled conditions, has provided valuable insights into some of the specific mechanisms which may be in operation in natural communities. The challenge is to determine the true nature of the resources being exploited by mycorrhizal roots in the far more complex soil environment, and to evaluate the extent to which interactions within and between heterotrophic and autotrophic populations influence the expression of mycorrhizal potential.