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Phosphatase production by mycorrhizal fungi

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Summary

Sheathing mycorrhizal fungi have been shown to possess phosphatase enzymes which can hydrolyse inositol hexaphosphate. In a range of mycorrhizal fungi, this activity was often greater than in two common decomposer basidiomycetes. Mycorrhizal birch and pine roots both produce phosphatases. In birch production is inversely related to the inorganic phosphorus concentration in the growth medium. Mycorrhizas reduce phosphatase activity compared with non-mycorrhizal plants.

Phosphatase production by basidiomycete fungi in liquid culture is independent of P in the medium. Saprophytic basidiomycetes tend to incorporate hydrolysed phosphate into their biomass. In contrast mycorrhizal fungi release more into solution than they absorb. The significance of this difference in relation to the supply of nutrients to plants is discussed.

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  1. Merlewood Research Station, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, UK

    J. Dighton

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  1. J. Dighton
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Dighton, J. Phosphatase production by mycorrhizal fungi. Plant Soil 71, 455–462 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182686

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