A fungal endophyte increases plant resilience to low nutrient availabilities: a case of Fe acquisition in legumes.

Microbial inocula are considered a promising and effective alternative solution to the use of chemical fertilizers to support plant growth and productivity since they play a key role in the availability and uptake of nutrients. Here, the effect of a beneficial of a fungal root endophyte, Fusarium solani strain K (FsK), on nutrient acquisition efficiency of the legume Lotus japonicus was studied, and putative mode-of-action of the endophyte at a molecular level was determined. Plant colonization with the endophyte resulted in increased shoot and root fresh weight under Fe deficiency compared to control nutrient conditions.

Above- and below-ground microbiome in the annual developmental cycle of two olive tree varieties.

The olive tree is a hallmark crop in the Mediterranean region. Its cultivation is characterized by an enormous variability in existing genotypes and geographical areas. As regards the associated microbial communities of the olive tree, despite progress, we still lack comprehensive knowledge in the description of these key determinants of plant health and productivity.

Interplay between rhizobial nodulation and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization in Lotus japonicus roots.

Aims: This study aims to identify main factors that influence the tripartite association of legumes with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia.

Methods And Results: Concurrent inoculations with Mesorhizobium loti and four AMF strains were performed on the model legume Lotus japonicus. Nodulation was significantly enhanced by all AMF strains, under normal conditions, and by specific AMF strains under heat-stress conditions.

The Effects of Quinone Imine, a New Potent Nitrification Inhibitor, Dicyandiamide, and Nitrapyrin on Target and Off-Target Soil Microbiota.

Dicyandiamide (DCD) and nitrapyrin (NP) are nitrification inhibitors (NIs) used in agriculture for over 40 years. Recently, ethoxyquin (EQ) was proposed as a novel potential NI, acting through its derivative quinone imine (QI). Still, the specific activity of these NIs on the different groups of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOM), and mostly their effects on other soil microbiota remain unknown.

Strong host-specific selection and over-dominance characterize arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal root colonizers of coastal sand dune plants of the Mediterranean region.

Sand dunes of the Mediterranean region constitute drought-stressed, low-fertility ecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are regarded as key components of their biota, that contribute to plant host adaptation and fitness. However, AMF community assembly rules in the roots of the psammophilous plants of coastal sand dunes have not been investigated.