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An arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus accelerates decomposition and acquires nitrogen directly from organic material

Author

Listed:
  • Angela Hodge

    (University of York, PO Box 373)

  • Colin D. Campbell

    (Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler)

  • Alastair H. Fitter

    (University of York, PO Box 373)

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (order Glomales), which form mycorrhizal symbioses with two out of three of all plant species1, are believed to be obligate biotrophs that are wholly dependent on the plant partner for their carbon supply2. It is thought that they possess no degradative capability and that they are unable to decompose complex organic molecules, the form in which most soil nutrients occur. Earlier suggestions that they could exist saprotrophically were based on observation of hyphal proliferation on organic materials3,4. In contrast, other mycorrhizal types have been shown to acquire nitrogen directly from organic sources5,6,7. Here we show that the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis can both enhance decomposition of and increase nitrogen capture from complex organic material (grass leaves) in soil. Hyphal growth of the fungal partner was increased in the presence of the organic material, independently of the host plant.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela Hodge & Colin D. Campbell & Alastair H. Fitter, 2001. "An arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus accelerates decomposition and acquires nitrogen directly from organic material," Nature, Nature, vol. 413(6853), pages 297-299, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:413:y:2001:i:6853:d:10.1038_35095041
    DOI: 10.1038/35095041
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    Cited by:

    1. María R. Conesa & Lidia López-Martínez & Wenceslao Conejero & Juan Vera & María Carmen Ruiz-Sánchez, 2021. "Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Stimulates Young Field-Grown Nectarine Trees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. João I. Lopes & Margarida Arrobas & Cátia Brito & Alexandre Gonçalves & Ermelinda Silva & Sandra Martins & Soraia Raimundo & Manuel Ângelo Rodrigues & Carlos M. Correia, 2020. "Mycorrhizal Fungi were More Effective than Zeolites in Increasing the Growth of Non-Irrigated Young Olive Trees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Lu-Lu Meng & Jia-Dong He & Ying-Ning Zou & Qiang-Sheng Wu & Kamil Kuča, 2020. "Mycorrhiza-released glomalin-related soil protein fractions contribute to soil total nitrogen in trifoliate orange," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 66(4), pages 183-189.
    4. Gholamhoseini, M. & Ghalavand, A. & Dolatabadian, A. & Jamshidi, E. & Khodaei-Joghan, A., 2013. "Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and irrigation water productivity of sunflowers grown under drought stress," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 106-114.
    5. Mandumbu, R. & Mariga, I.K., 2017. "Improving agricultural technologies in HIV/AIDS infected/affected communities and for elderly farmers: The case of sub-Saharan Africa," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 6(C), pages 38-44.

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