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Specificity and penetration of tissues by mycorrhizal fungi

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Although mycorrhizas are diverse in structure they fall into two physiological groups. Those in which the host provides carbon compounds and those in which the fungus does so. The fungi may belong to any of the great taxa, but those of each taxon do not necessarily form one kind of mycorrhiza or consort with particular taxa of hosts. The species of fungi are not specific to any species of host, and although genera of fungi may be restricted to families or genera of host, most are of very wide host range. Some species or strains of fungi can form mycorrhizas of different structure with different hosts and some hosts may form different kinds of mycorrhiza with different fungi.

Those fungi which consort with hosts which provide carbon compounds have a very limited ability to degrade or use complex carbon polymers. Those that provide the carbon for their symbioses are active in such breakdown. Both kinds may penetrate between or into the cells of the hosts without causing death of cells. This problem is discussed and one hypothesis suggesting a means of penetration by the former, and the prevention of tissue destruction by the latter is put forward

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    J L Harley

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Harley, J.L. Specificity and penetration of tissues by mycorrhizal fungi. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 94, 99–109 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053130

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