Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
06:53
Isolation, Characterization, and Total DNA Extraction to Identify Endophytic Fungi in Mycoheterotrophic Plants
Published on: May 5, 2023
Decoding dark septate endophyte symbiosis: A functional and ecological perspective
Keerthi Mandyam1, Ari Jumpponen2
1Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA.
FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungi are crucial root symbionts impacting plant health and nutrient uptake. This study synthesizes genomic and ecological data to reveal their roles in soil health and sustainable agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Ecology
Background:
- Dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungi are widespread root symbionts with varied effects on plant growth.
- They influence nutrient acquisition and stress tolerance, but their ecological roles are complex.
- DSE contribute to soil microbiome dynamics, soil health, and regenerative agriculture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on DSE biology using comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and ecological data.
- To identify key knowledge gaps in understanding DSE ecology and function.
- To propose an integrated framework for DSE-environment interactions.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses of DSE.
- Integration of microbiome ecology, soil health, and agricultural studies.
- System-level synthesis of DSE biology.
Main Results:
- DSE share traits with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, suggesting a shift towards specialized root-associated lifestyles.
- Melanin production and diverse enzyme repertoires indicate roles in nutrient cycling and soil aggregation.
- Evidence supports DSE importance in microbiome assembly and plant stress tolerance.
Conclusions:
- DSE are key players in plant-fungal-soil interactions, influencing ecosystem processes.
- Their functions are vital for soil health, carbon dynamics, and sustainable agriculture.
- An integrated framework highlights DSE competencies for ecosystem functioning.
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