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Mycorrhizal-induced growth depression in plants

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Abstract

As plant mutualists, one would not expect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to cause growth depression of their host plants. The mechanism responsible for negative effects of AMF is still debated and so here we review the possible abiotic and biotic reasons for AMF-induced growth depression in plants: 1) The Phytocentric explanations, include: a) AMF and non-mycotrophic plants, b) different growth stages of plants. 2) The Mycocentric explanations, include: a) Low effective AMF species, b) The existence of vesicles, c) Genetic variability of AMF, and d) Geographic origin of AMF. 3) Unbalanced C-for-nutrient-trade, involving both partners and 4) Indirect effects of other organisms. We note deficiencies in previous studies and suggest improvements in experimental designs such as the use of realistic mixtures of AM fungal species, and growing plants in mixtures in field situations, rather than single pot studies, with and without fungi. Determining whether and how AM fungi cheat on their hosts will enable a better understanding of their roles in natural communities and their use as biofertilizers in agriculture.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (31270558) and the Research Funds for the Introduction of Talents of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. We are grateful to the anonymous referees whose comments greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural History Research Center, Shanghai Natural History Museum, Shanghai Science & Technology Museum, Shanghai, 200127, China

    Liang Jin & Xiaojuan Wang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China

    Qian Wang & Qiang Wang

  3. School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW 200EX, UK

    Alan C. Gange

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  1. Liang Jin
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  2. Qian Wang
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Jin, L., Wang, Q., Wang, Q. et al. Mycorrhizal-induced growth depression in plants. Symbiosis 72, 81–88 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-016-0444-5

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