Mechanism of Interaction between Root and Fungi

Dear Colleagues,

Tree roots are constantly challenged by soil-inhabiting fungi that may not have beneficial or adverse effects on plant growth and development. Interactions between root and fungi are very complex and largely unrecognized aspect of trees physiology. Between dangerous fungal pathogens and beneficial mutualists exist numerous context-dependent intermediate states, including part-saprophytes or mycorrhizal partners decreasing plant growth. Plant host may be enriched in nutrients and water, as during mycorrhizal interactions, or only robbed from its resources which affects the condition of the trees and the whole forest ecosystems. The result of relationships between roots and fungi can be important in carbon and other nutrient cycling, and in coping with forest trees with adverse environmental conditions due to climate change.

Fungal partners secrete molecules which facilitate colonization and contribute to both symbiotic and pathogenic relationships. Our fragmentary knowledge on the interactions between plants and fungi must be made whole to understand the potential of fungi in preventing plant diseases, improving plant productivity and understanding ecosystem stability. Fungi have been also found to protect role for plants rooted in soils with high metal concentrations, which may be cause by different mechanism. This issue focuses on environmental and endogenous factors that can influence the establishment of various types of interaction between tree roots and fungi, and may respond for root function such as protection against other fungi, or against heavy metal concentration. We strongly encourage studies on morphological, anatomical, ecophysiological and molecular aspects of root and fungi interactions.

Dr. Joanna Mucha
Dr. Agnieszka Szuba
Guest Editors

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• Context-dependent Interactions
• Mutualism
• Parasitism
• Root Structure
• Root Function
• Stress Response
• Phytoremediation