Mycorrhizae

This student page has not been curated.

Introduction

Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC.

At right is a sample image insertion. It works for any image uploaded anywhere to MicrobeWiki. The insertion code consists of:
Double brackets: [[
Filename: PHIL_1181_lores.jpg
Thumbnail status: |thumb|
Pixel size: |300px|
Placement on page: |right|
Legend/credit: Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC.
Closed double brackets: ]]

Other examples:
Bold
Italic
Subscript: H₂O
Superscript: Fe³⁺

Mycorrhizae can be described as a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant (1). Due to the fact that this is a symbiotic relationship, both the fungus and the plant benefit from this interaction. Since the plants are aboveground, it is often easier to see the benefits of this association for the plant, but the fungus also takes advantage of this partnership. The mycorrhizae aid the plant with growth, yield, improved fitness, increase the root absorption area of nutrients, while the fungus receives carbon from the associated plant (1). This is an important interaction due to the benefits that the plants receive. Improved plant growth and yield can aid in the production of crops and therefore produce more plants per area. Although mycorrhizae produce the same overall effects, there are two main types of this fungus. Arbuscular mycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae are the two main types of mycorrhizae that produce the same overall results, but with different fungal characteristics(2, ecology of mycorrhizae). Below, more will be explained about the interaction between the fungus and plant, the niches that they are able to occupy, descriptions of the types of mycorrhizae, and the microbial processes that occur.

Biological interaction

As stated above, mycorrhizae create a symbiotic relationship between a plant and a fungus where both organisms benefit from the interaction. Although both the plant and fungi benefit from the partnership, they benefit in different ways.

Benefits for Plants

-Mycorrhizae are able to create a vast connection between the roots of a plant and with the soil around them, which allows for the fungus to uptake nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus for the plant and increase the surface area of the roots (1). With this increased surface area, it is obvious that the plant will have many benefits. This increase in area within the soil will increase the availability of nutrients and water for the plants consumption. Since nutrients and water are needed in order for plant growth, this mycorrhizal interaction can lead to an increase in the growth of the plant.

This increase in nutrient availability for the plant leads to even more advantages. A plant with a mycorrhizae interaction will be able to increase its nutrient and water uptake, while a plant without this partnership will just have to rely on its roots for the uptake of materials. If a plant with this symbiosis is in an area with plants who do not have a mycorrhizae partnership, the fungi and plant partnership can give the plant the ability to out compete other plants. Overall, this means that mycorrhizae interactions can lead to changes in the plant composition of an area.

Benefits for the Fungi

-Since this is a symbiotic relationship, the fungus benefits as well.

Niche

Describe the physical, chemical, or spatial characteristics of the niche where we might find this interaction, using as many sections/subsections as you require. Look at other topics available in MicrobeWiki. Create links where relevant.

Microbial processes

What microbial processes define this environment? Describe microbial processes that are important in this habitat, adding sections/subsections as needed. Look at other topics in MicrobeWiki. Are some of these processes already described? Create links where relevant.

Key Microorganisms

What specific kinds of microbes are typically involved in this interaction? Or associated with important processes? Describe key groups (genera, species) of microbes that we find in this environment, and any special adaptations they may have evolved to survive in this environment. List examples of specific microbes that represent key groups or are associated with important processes found in this environment. Add sections/subsections as needed. Look at other microbe listings in MicrobeWiki. Are some of the groups of microbes from your environment already described? Create links to other MicrobeWiki pages where possible.

Microbial processes

What microbial processes are important for this microbial interaction? Does this microbial interaction have some ecosystem-level effects? Does this interaction affect the environment in any way? Describe critical microbial processes or activities that are important in this interaction, adding sections/subsections as needed. Look at other topics in MicrobeWiki. Are some of these processes already described? Create links where relevant.

Current Research

Enter summaries of recent research here--at least three required

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by Lisa Reger, a student of Angela Kent at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.