The potential role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in protecting endangered plants and habitats.
Mycorrhiza
; 20(7): 445-57, 2010 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20652364
Ecosystems worldwide are threatened with the extinction of plants and, at the same time, invasion by new species. Plant invasiveness and loss of species can be caused by similar but opposing pressures on the community structures. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can have multiple positive effects on plant growth, productivity, health, and stress relief. Many endangered species live in symbiosis with AMF. However, the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) indicates that the mycorrhizal status of most of the threatened species has not been assessed. Rare plants often occur in specialized and also endangered habitats and might utilize specialized or unique AMF. The specificity of any endangered plant to its AMF population has not been investigated. Because most of the current AMF isolates that are available colonize a broad range of plant species, selected inocula could be used to promote growth of endangered plants before the proper and more effective indigenous AMF are characterized. Application of AMF in field sites to protect endangered plants is hardly feasible due to the complexity of plant community structures and the large amount of fungal inocula needed. Endangered plants could, however, be grown as greenhouse cultures together with appropriate fungi, and, at the relevant developmental stage, they could be re-planted into native sites to prevent extinction and to preserve plant community ecology.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Plantas
/
Simbiosis
/
Ecosistema
/
Fenómenos Fisiológicos de las Plantas
/
Micorrizas
/
Hongos
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mycorrhiza
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
Año:
2010
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Alemania
Pais de publicación:
Alemania