Nitrogen transfer in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Manjula Govindarajulu, Philip E. Pfeffer (), Hairu Jin, Jehad Abubaker, David D. Douds, James W. Allen, Heike Bücking, Peter J. Lammers () and Yair Shachar-Hill
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Manjula Govindarajulu: New Mexico State University
Philip E. Pfeffer: USDA-ARS Eastern Regional Research Center
Hairu Jin: USDA-ARS Eastern Regional Research Center
Jehad Abubaker: New Mexico State University
David D. Douds: USDA-ARS Eastern Regional Research Center
James W. Allen: Michigan State University
Heike Bücking: Michigan State University
Peter J. Lammers: New Mexico State University
Yair Shachar-Hill: Michigan State University

Nature, 2005, vol. 435, issue 7043, 819-823

Abstract: Indirect root for nitrogen The discovery of a previously unknown mechanism of nitrogen transfer from the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi found on the roots of most land plants, to the host plants suggests that this symbiotic relationship may be a much more important factor in the global nitrogen cycle than was thought. The mechanism involves uptake of inorganic nitrogen by the fungus outside the roots, conversion to amino acids within the fungus, then transfer as ammonium ions from the fungal mycelium into the plant. The first event in host recognition by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is thought to be hyphal branching. A strigolactone, 5-deoxy-strigol, isolated from Lotus japonicus has now been identified as an inducer of branching. Strigolactones are root metabolites, previously isolated as seed germination stimulants for root parasitic weeds. This finding highlights the close relationship between plant and fungus, and may provide a new strategy for the control of both beneficial fungal symbionts and destructive parasitic weeds in agriculture and natural ecosystems.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature03610

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