Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.

Microbial Nutrition

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Mutations in the complex III of Zymoseptoria tritici and implications on fungicide sensitivity and fitness.

Pesticide biochemistry and physiology·2025

Same author

Analysis of the genetic diversity of the soybean rust pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi reveals two major evolutionary lineages.

Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B·2025

Same author

The wheat stripe rust effector PstEXLX1 inhibits formate dehydrogenase activity to suppress immunity in wheat.

Plant physiology·2025

Same author

First Report on the Emergence of <i>Neopestalotiopsis rosae</i> as a Severe Economic Threat to Strawberry Production in Germany.

Microorganisms·2025

Same author

Efficacy of <i>Trichoderma</i> spp. and <i>Kosakonia</i> sp. Both Independently and Combined with Fungicides against <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> on Strawberries.

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)·2024

Same author

Grapevine Pinot gris virus spreads in infected vineyards: latent infections have no direct impact on grape production.

Virology journal·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 8, 2025

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

Published on: February 10, 2023

Rust haustoria: nutrient uptake and beyond.

Ralf T Voegele¹, Kurt Mendgen¹

¹Universität Konstanz, Fachbereich Biologie, Lehrstuhl Phytopathologie, Universitätsstr. 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.

The New Phytologist

|April 20, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Plant parasitic fungi called obligate biotrophs use haustoria for nutrient uptake. Recent studies reveal these structures also manage host defenses and metabolism.

Keywords:

Uromyces fabae Vicia faba biotrophy carbon allocation rust infection

More Related Videos

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Published on: September 1, 2020

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

Published on: October 22, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 8, 2025

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits

Published on: February 10, 2023

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Published on: September 1, 2020

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

An Optimized Rhizobox Protocol to Visualize Root Growth and Responsiveness to Localized Nutrients

Published on: October 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Plant Pathology
Evolutionary Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Haustoria are key adaptations of obligate biotrophs for host plant interaction.
Their evolutionary convergence suggests significant adaptive value.
In vitro cultivation challenges have historically limited functional studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current knowledge on the structure and function of haustoria, particularly in rust fungi.
To highlight recent molecular-level analyses of haustorial roles.
To explore functions beyond nutrient uptake.

Main Methods:

Literature review of existing research on haustoria.
Analysis of recent molecular and functional studies.
Focus on rust haustoria structure and physiology.

Main Results:

Haustoria facilitate nutrient uptake from host plants.
These structures possess significant biosynthetic capabilities.
Haustoria actively suppress host defense mechanisms.
They reprogram host metabolic pathways for parasite benefit.

Conclusions:

Haustoria are complex organelles with multifaceted roles in plant parasitism.
Beyond nutrient acquisition, they are critical for manipulating host responses and metabolism.
Further molecular research is crucial for understanding these intricate interactions.