Melanized root-associated fungi: key players in plant-soil systems

Abstract

Melanized root-associated fungi are a group of fungi that produce melanized structures and form root associations, including different mycorrhizal and endophytic symbioses with plants. They are pervasive across terrestrial ecosystems and play an important role in the prevailing soil carbon (C) and nutrient cycling syndromes through direct and indirect mechanisms, where they may strongly modulate plant-microbe interactions and structure root and soil microbiomes. Furthermore, melanized root-associated fungi can confer on plants an enhanced ability to tolerate abiotic and biotic stressors such as drought, extreme temperatures, heavy metals, and pathogen attacks. We propose that melanized root- associated fungi are a cohesive and ecologically relevant grouping that can be an indicator of plant-soil system functioning, and considering them will advance research on plant-soil interactions.

Published in

Trends in Microbiology
2024, volume: 32, number: 12, pages: 1190-1199
Publisher: CELL PRESS

SLU Authors

• Netherway, Tarquin

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bahram, Mohammad

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Aarhus University
  • University of Tartu

UKÄ Subject classification

Microbiology
Ecology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2024.06.006

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/139885