Neves Alice S, van Galen Laura G, Vohník Martin, Peter Martina, Martino Elena, Crowther Thomas W, Delavaux Camille S
Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), Zürich, 8092, Switzerland.
Department of Mycorrhizal Symbioses, Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, 25243, Czechia.
Mycorrhiza. 2025 Aug 13;35(4):51. doi: 10.1007/s00572-025-01223-6.
Ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) fungi (ErMF) are crucial for the establishment of thousands of ericaceous species in heathlands and wetlands by increasing their tolerance to harsh conditions and improving nutrient uptake. However, ErM research has largely focused on a limited number of host species and four ErMF species (especially Hyaloscypha hepaticicola and Oidiodendron maius, to a lesser extent H. bicolor/H. finlandica and H. variabilis). Therefore, the degree to which other ericaceous plants and ErMF form functional associations, and corresponding benefits for plant growth, are not well understood. As such, we lack a clear understanding of how changes in fungal partners may influence plant fitness. To address this gap, we conducted a greenhouse experiment with nine ericaceous plant species and eight ErMF isolates to expand baseline knowledge regarding the effects of the ErM symbiosis on host plant growth. By analyzing ErM root colonization and host plant growth response, we observed that the mycorrhizal growth response (MGR) was variable and depended on plant and fungal identity. Moreover, overall inoculation effects on plant growth were independent from colonization levels. Finally, we found evidence that MGR was influenced by plant phylogeny. These results expand our basic understanding of the ErM symbiosis and provide valuable information for future restoration and conservation efforts.
石楠状菌根（ErM）真菌（ErMF）对于数千种石楠科植物在石南灌丛和湿地中的定植至关重要，它能提高这些植物对恶劣条件的耐受性并改善养分吸收。然而，ErM研究主要集中在少数宿主物种和四种ErMF物种（特别是肝生透明杯霉和大隔孢伏革菌，双色透明杯霉/芬兰透明杯霉和可变透明杯霉的研究较少）。因此，其他石楠科植物与ErMF形成功能关联的程度以及对植物生长的相应益处尚未得到充分了解。正因如此，我们对真菌伙伴的变化如何影响植物适应性缺乏清晰的认识。为了填补这一空白，我们用九种石楠科植物和八种ErMF分离株进行了一项温室实验，以扩展关于ErM共生对宿主植物生长影响的基础认知。通过分析菌根根系定殖和宿主植物生长反应，我们观察到菌根生长反应（MGR）是可变的，并且取决于植物和真菌的种类。此外，接种对植物生长的总体影响与定殖水平无关。最后，我们发现有证据表明MGR受植物系统发育的影响。这些结果扩展了我们对ErM共生的基本理解，并为未来的恢复和保护工作提供了有价值的信息。
