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Production of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungal Inoculum and Phenotypic Evaluation of Rice and AM Symbiosis Under Saline Conditions
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Production of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungal Inoculum and Phenotypic Evaluation of Rice and AM Symbiosis Under Saline Conditions

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: intraspecific diversity and pangenomes

Stephanie Mathieu1, Loïc Cusant2, Christophe Roux2

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.

The New Phytologist
|June 28, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) exhibit significant genetic and phenotypic diversity within species, impacting plant growth. This intraspecific variation is crucial for AMF ecology and adaptation, influencing the plant-fungus symbiosis.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Genomics
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widespread plant symbionts.
  • Conspecific AMF strains display considerable genetic and phenotypic variation.
  • This variation directly influences plant growth and symbiotic interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the extent of intraspecific genetic and phenotypic diversity in AMF.
  • To understand the role of plant hosts in shaping AMF phenotypic variation.
  • To explore the implications of genome diversity for AMF ecological adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of genetic and phenotypic variation across AMF isolates.
  • Comparative studies of AMF isolates on different plant hosts.
  • Genomic analysis, including pangenome studies of model AMF species like Rhizophagus irregularis.

Main Results:

  • High intraspecific genetic diversity is common in AMF, extending beyond model species.
  • AMF phenotype varies significantly depending on the plant host, demonstrating plasticity.
  • Model AMF Rhizophagus irregularis possesses large and variable pangenomes, indicating substantial genome diversity.

Conclusions:

  • Intraspecific diversity is a key feature of AMF population biology.
  • Phenotypic plasticity in response to plant hosts is functionally relevant for AMF ecology.
  • Genome diversity, particularly pangenomes, likely plays a critical role in the ecological adaptation of AMF.
Keywords:
Rhizophagus irregularisarbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)intraspecific diversitypangenomestransposable elements

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