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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores
Published on: March 26, 2019
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi conducting the hyphosphere bacterial orchestra
Lin Zhang1, Jiachao Zhou1, Timothy S George2
1College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Abstract:
More than two-thirds of terrestrial plants acquire nutrients by forming a symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. AM fungal hyphae recruit distinct microbes into their hyphosphere, the narrow region of soil influenced by hyphal exudates. They thereby shape this so-called second genome of AM fungi, which significantly contributes to nutrient mobilization and turnover. We summarize current insights into characteristics of the hyphosphere microbiome and the role of hyphal exudates on orchestrating its composition. The hyphal exudates not only contain carbon-rich compounds but also promote bacterial growth and activity and influence the microbial community structure. These effects lead to shifts in function and cause changes in organic nutrient cycling, making the hyphosphere a unique and largely overlooked functional zone in ecosystems.
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