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Molecular Aspects and Potential Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and...
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Molecular Aspects and Potential Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Endophytes in Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2021) | Viewed by 18720

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Catello Di Martino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Food, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Interests: plant physiology; mineral nutrients; mycorrhizal symbiosis in nutrient uptake; regulation of the development of mycorrhiza in plants; plant nutrition; nitrogen metabolism; nitrogen nutrition; nitrogen use efficiency
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant–fungi symbiosis is a partnership of interspecific coexistence that has developed over more than 400 million years. In nature, the strongest biological entities do not always win, and those that are best adapted to the environmental context, including climate change and nutritional resources, most often prevail. Many studies in molecular biology and biochemistry have revealed the value, functionality, and strategic advantages of mycorrhizal symbiosis. This basic research regarding a small number of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species and only a few completely sequenced genomes is the foundation of applied research that is beginning to produce encouraging results in the agronomic field. Future progress in utilizing plant–fungi symbiosis for agriculture, horticulture, arboriculture, and silviculture depends on improving our current knowledge through:

  1. a deeper understanding of how AMF function;
  2. selection of AMF strains that differ in their ability to provide mineral nutrition and vegetative development with a greater number of plant species;
  3. development of new AMF mixtures to covering a wider range of plant species; and
  4. development of technologies that allow for the massive cultivation of AMF at low production costs.

Progress in these four areas of plant–fungi symbiosis technology may lead to the molecular engineering of AMF and their associated micro-organisms and plant species. Applied research utilizing these improved AMF and associated micro-organisms to improve plant–fungi symbiosis in modern crop production systems has the potential to increase the yield and crop quality of a wide range of economically valuable plant species.

Dr. Catello Di Martino
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis
  • soil
  • organisms
  • plant microbiome
  • cell responses
  • interface
  • signals
  • exudates
  • rhizosphere
  • nitrogen
  • phosphate
  • nutrient exchange
  • transport and metabolism in mycorrhizal roots
  • regulatory mechanisms
  • transcription factors
  • transcriptomics

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1840 KiB  
Article
Overlapping Root Architecture and Gene Expression of Nitrogen Transporters for Nitrogen Acquisition of Tomato Plants Colonized with Isolates of Funneliformis mosseae in Hydroponic Production
by Jingyu Feng, Weixing Lv, Jing Xu, Zhe Huang, Wenjing Rui, Xihong Lei, Xuehai Ju and Zhifang Li
Plants 2022, 11(9), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11091176 - 27 Apr 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1863
Abstract
Understanding the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) upon the nitrogen (N) uptake of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) plants is crucial for effectively utilizing these beneficial microorganisms in industrial hydroponic tomato production. Yet it remains unknown whether, besides fungal delivery, the AMF [...] Read more.
Understanding the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) upon the nitrogen (N) uptake of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) plants is crucial for effectively utilizing these beneficial microorganisms in industrial hydroponic tomato production. Yet it remains unknown whether, besides fungal delivery, the AMF also affects N uptake via altered plant root growth or whether, together with changed N transporters expression of hosts, this impact is isolate-specific. We investigated tomato root architecture and the expression of LeAMT1.1, LeAMT1.2, and LeNRT2.3 genes in roots inoculated with five isolates of Funneliformis mosseae, these collected from different geographical locations, under greenhouse conditions with nutritional solution in coconut coir production. Our results revealed that isolate-specific AMF inoculation strongly increased the root biomass, total root length, surface area, and volume. Linear relationships were found between the total root length and N accumulation in plants. Furthermore, expression levels of LeAMT1.1, LeAMT1.2, and LeNRT2.3 were significantly up-regulated by inoculation with F. mosseae with isolate-specific. These results implied N uptake greater than predicted by root growth, and N transporters up-regulated by AMF symbiosis in an isolate-specific manner. Thus, an overlap in root biomass, architecture and expression of N transporters increase N acquisition in tomato plants in the symbiosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Aspects and Potential Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Endophytes in Plants)
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37 pages, 14499 KiB  
Article
Mycorrhiza-Induced Alterations in Metabolome of Medicago lupulina Leaves during Symbiosis Development
by Andrey P. Yurkov, Roman K. Puzanskiy, Galina S. Avdeeva, Lidija M. Jacobi, Anastasia O. Gorbunova, Alexey A. Kryukov, Andrei P. Kozhemyakov, Yuri V. Laktionov, Yuri V. Kosulnikov, Daria A. Romanyuk, Vladislav V. Yemelyanov, Alexey L. Shavarda, Anastasia A. Kirpichnikova, Galina N. Smolikova and Maria F. Shishova
Plants 2021, 10(11), 2506; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112506 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2136
Abstract
The present study is aimed at disclosing metabolic profile alterations in the leaves of the Medicago lupulina MlS-1 line that result from high-efficiency arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis formed with Rhizophagus irregularis under condition of a low phosphorus level in the substrate. A highly [...] Read more.
The present study is aimed at disclosing metabolic profile alterations in the leaves of the Medicago lupulina MlS-1 line that result from high-efficiency arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis formed with Rhizophagus irregularis under condition of a low phosphorus level in the substrate. A highly effective AM symbiosis was established in the period from the stooling to the shoot branching initiation stage (the efficiency in stem height exceeded 200%). Mycorrhization led to a more intensive accumulation of phosphates (glycerophosphoglycerol and inorganic phosphate) in M. lupulina leaves. Metabolic spectra were detected with GS-MS analysis. The application of complex mathematical analyses made it possible to identify the clustering of various groups of 320 metabolites and thus demonstrate the central importance of the carbohydrate and carboxylate-amino acid clusters. The results obtained indicate a delay in the metabolic development of mycorrhized plants. Thus, AM not only accelerates the transition between plant developmental stages but delays biochemical “maturation” mainly in the form of a lag of sugar accumulation in comparison with non-mycorrhized plants. Several methods of statistical modeling proved that, at least with respect to determining the metabolic status of host-plant leaves, stages of phenological development have priority over calendar age. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Aspects and Potential Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Endophytes in Plants)
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17 pages, 6400 KiB  
Article
The Tripartite Rhizobacteria-AM Fungal-Host Plant Relationship in Winter Wheat: Impact of Multi-Species Inoculation, Tillage Regime and Naturally Occurring Rhizobacteria Species
by Thomas I. Wilkes, Douglas J. Warner, Veronica Edmonds-Brown, Keith G. Davies and Ian Denholm
Plants 2021, 10(7), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071357 - 2 Jul 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2557
Abstract
Soils and plant root rhizospheres have diverse microorganism profiles. Components of this naturally occurring microbiome, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), may be beneficial to plant growth. Supplementary application to host plants of AM fungi and PGPR either as [...] Read more.
Soils and plant root rhizospheres have diverse microorganism profiles. Components of this naturally occurring microbiome, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), may be beneficial to plant growth. Supplementary application to host plants of AM fungi and PGPR either as single species or multiple species inoculants has the potential to enhance this symbiotic relationship further. Single species interactions have been described; the nature of multi-species tripartite relationships between AM fungi, PGPR and the host plant require further scrutiny. The impact of select Bacilli spp. rhizobacteria and the AM fungus Rhizophagus intraradices as both single and combined inoculations (PGPR[i] and AMF[i]) within field extracted arable soils of two tillage treatments, conventional soil inversion (CT) and zero tillage (ZT) at winter wheat growth stages GS30 and GS39 have been conducted. The naturally occurring soil borne species (PGPR[s] and AMF[s]) have been determined by qPCR analysis. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were evident between inocula treatments and the method of seedbed preparation. A positive impact on wheat plant growth was noted for B. amyloliquefaciens applied as both a single inoculant (PGPR[i]) and in combination with R. intraradices (PGPR[i] + AMF[i]); however, the two treatments did not differ significantly from each other. The findings are discussed in the context of the inocula applied and the naturally occurring soil borne PGPR[s] present in the field extracted soil under each method of tillage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Aspects and Potential Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Endophytes in Plants)
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10 pages, 593 KiB  
Article
Effect of Rhizophagus irregularis on Growth and Quality of Cannabis sativa Seedlings
by Ioanna Kakabouki, Antonios Mavroeidis, Alexandros Tataridas, Angeliki Kousta, Aspasia Efthimiadou, Stella Karydogianni, Nikolaos Katsenios, Ioannis Roussis and Panayiota Papastylianou
Plants 2021, 10(7), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071333 - 29 Jun 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6983
Abstract
Rhizophagus irregularis is an arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus that can enhance plant nutrition and reduce transplant shock on seedlings. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of this fungus on the quality of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) seedlings. A greenhouse float system [...] Read more.
Rhizophagus irregularis is an arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus that can enhance plant nutrition and reduce transplant shock on seedlings. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of this fungus on the quality of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) seedlings. A greenhouse float system experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three treatments. The treatments included the application of 40, 80 and 120 fungus spores per L of nutrient solution (AMF1, AMF2 and AMF3, respectively). The evaluation was performed based on the agronomic characteristics of the seedlings (root and stem length and weight, stem diameter), N and P content, survival rate, and the Dickson’s quality index (DQI). Results indicated that root length and stem dry weight were significantly increased (by 34.14% and 21.4%, respectively) in the AMF3 treatment. The biomass of the seedlings’ roots, the fresh weight and the N content were not affected by the AMF. On the contrary, survival rate, P content and DQI were significantly increased in AMF3 (by 5%, 24.3% and 12.4% respectively). Overall, our findings suggest that the application of high doses of Rhizophagus irregularis (AMF3) on float system-produced cannabis seedlings results in a considerable increment of their quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Aspects and Potential Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Endophytes in Plants)
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Review

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23 pages, 447 KiB  
Review
General Limitations to Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungi Use as Plant Growth Promoters, Pests and Pathogens Biocontrol Agents
by Bamisope Steve Bamisile, Junaid Ali Siddiqui, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Luis Carlos Ramos Aguila and Yijuan Xu
Plants 2021, 10(10), 2119; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102119 - 6 Oct 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4260
Abstract
The multiple roles of fungal entomopathogens in host plants’ growth promotion, pest and pathogen management have drawn huge attention for investigation. Endophytic species are known to influence various activities of their associated host plants, and the endophyte-colonized plants have been demonstrated to gain [...] Read more.
The multiple roles of fungal entomopathogens in host plants’ growth promotion, pest and pathogen management have drawn huge attention for investigation. Endophytic species are known to influence various activities of their associated host plants, and the endophyte-colonized plants have been demonstrated to gain huge benefits from these symbiotic associations. The potential application of fungal endophytes as alternative to inorganic fertilizers for crop improvement has often been proposed. Similarly, various strains of insect pathogenic fungi have been formulated for use as mycopesticides and have been suggested as long-term replacement for the synthetic pesticides that are commonly in use. The numerous concerns about the negative effects of synthetic chemical pesticides have also driven attention towards developing eco-friendly pest management techniques. However, several factors have been underlined to be militating the successful adoption of entomopathogenic fungi and fungal endophytes as plant promoting, pests and diseases control bio-agents. The difficulties in isolation and characterization of novel strains, negative effects of geographical location, vegetation type and human disturbance on fungal entomopathogens, are among the numerous setbacks that have been documented. Although, the latest advances in biotechnology and microbial studies have provided means of overcoming many of these problems. For instance, studies have suggested measures for mitigating the negative effects of biotic and abiotic stressors on entomopathogenic fungi in inundative application on the field, or when applied in the form of fungal endophytes. In spite of these efforts, more studies are needed to be done to achieve the goal of improving the overall effectiveness and increase in the level of acceptance of entomopathogenic fungi and their products as an integral part of the integrated pest management programs, as well as potential adoption as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Aspects and Potential Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Endophytes in Plants)
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