Hodge, A orcid.org/0000-0002-5181-697X, Campbell, C D and Fitter, A H (2001) An arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus accelerates decomposition and acquires nitrogen directly from organic material. Nature. pp. 297-299. ISSN 0028-0836
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (order Glomales), which form mycorrhizal symbioses with two out of three of all plant species, are believed to be obligate biotrophs that are wholly dependent on the plant partner for their carbon supply. 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 materials. In contrast, other mycorrhizal types have been shown to acquire nitrogen directly from organic sources. 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.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2001 Macmillan Magazines Ltd |
Keywords: | ROOT PROLIFERATION,SOIL,BIODIVERSITY,ACQUISITION,ASSOCIATION,DIVERSITY,HYPHAE,INFLOW |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Biology (York) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number BBSRC UNSPECIFIED |
Depositing User: | Repository Officer |
Date Deposited: | 14 Oct 2004 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 11:57 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1038/35095041 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1038/35095041 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:141 |