Rhizophagus irregularis

Rhizophagus irregularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Glomeromycota
Class: Glomeromycetes
Order: Glomerales
Family: Glomeraceae
Genus: Rhizophagus
Species: Rhizophagus irregularis[1]

Rhizophagus irregularis (previously known as Glomus intraradices [2]) is an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus used as a soil inoculant in agriculture and horticulture. In addition, it is one of the best mycorrhizal varieties of fungi available to mycoforestry, but it "has virtually no market value as an edible or medicinal mushroom"[3]

Rhizophagus irregularis is also commonly used in scientific studies of the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on plant and soil improvement.

Recent molecular analysis of Ribosomal DNA suggested that Glomus intraradices is not in fact in the genus Glomus at all, and should be renamed Rhizophagus intraradices. [4]

Description

Spores
Hyphae

Identification

Rhizophagus irregularis colonization peaks earlier than many of the other fungi in the Glomus genus. There tends to be extensive hyphal networking and intense intraradical spores associated with older roots of host plants.

At times the spores are densely clustered or patchily distributed, depending on the host species. When the spores are heavily clustered, mycorrhizologists and others will tend to mistake G. intraradices for G. fasciculatum.[5]

Reproduction

All fungi reproduce through spores. Hyphae grow from original spores and eventually the fungus creates fruiting bodies (mushrooms) that will release more spores, starting the cycle over again.[6]

Ecology and distribution

Distribution

Rhizophagus irregularis can be found in almost all soils, especially those populated with common host plants and in forests and grasslands.

This is a brief list of some common host plants. Most agricultural crops will benefit from Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation. Generally host plants must be vascular plants, but not always.[7]

Conservation and status

Glomus intraradices is not in danger of becoming extinct; however, most damage is caused by chemicals and tillage.

Relevance

In numerous scientific studies G. intraradices has been shown to increase phosphorus uptake in multiple plants as well as improve soil aggregation due to hyphae.[14]

Because of these qualities, G. intraradices is commonly found in mycorrhizal based fertilizers.

In a recent study, G. intraradices was found to be the only arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that was able to control nutrient uptake amounts by individual hyphae depending on differing phosphorus levels in the surrounding soil.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Rhizophagus irregularis (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus) (Glomus intraradices)". www.uniprot.org.
  2. ↑ "Home - Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM 181602 v1.0". genome.jgi.doe.gov.
  3. ↑ Stamets, P. (2005). Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World
  4. ↑ Krüger, Manuela; Claudia Krüger; Christopher Walker; Herbert Stockinger; Arthur Schüßler (2012). "Phylogenetic reference data for systematics and phylotaxonomy of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from phylum to species level". New Phytologist 193 (193): 970–984. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03962.x.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Morton, J, & R Amarasinghe. Glomus intraradices.International Culture Collection of (Vesicular) Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi. 2006. West Virginia University. 17 November 2009. http://invam.caf.wvu.edu/index.html.
  6. ↑ Cann, Alan. Reproduction of Fungi.MycrobiologyBytes. 18 April 2007. Dr. Alan Cann. 3 December 2009. http://www.microbiologybytes.com/introduction/myc2.html
  7. ↑ Peterson, R, H Massicotte, L Melville (2004). Mycorrhizas: Anatomy and Cell Biology. NRC Research Press, Ottawa: 7-8.
  8. ↑ Toro M, Azcon R, Barea J (November 1997). "Improvement of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Development by Inoculation of Soil with Phosphate-Solubilizing Rhizobacteria To Improve Rock Phosphate Bioavailability ((sup32)P) and Nutrient Cycling". Applied and Environmental Microbiology 63 (11): 4408–12. PMC 1389286. PMID 16535730.
  9. ↑ Duponnois, R, A Colombet, V Hien, J Thioulouse. (2005). the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices and rock phosphate amendment influence plant growth and microbial activity in the rhizosphere of Acacia holosericea. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 37: 1460-1468.
  10. 1 2 Cavagnaro, T, F Smith, S Smith, & I Jakobsen. (2005). Functional diversity in arbuscular mycorrhizas: exploitation of soil patches with different phosphate enrichment differs among fungal species. Plant, Cell and Environment. 28: 642-650.
  11. ↑ Augé, R, A Stodola, J Tims, & A Saxton. (2000). Moisture retention in a mycorrhizal soil. Plant and Soil. 230: 87-97.
  12. ↑ Cavagnaro, T, L Jackson, J Six, H Ferris, S Goyal, D Asami, & K Scow. (2005). Arbuscular mycorrhizas, microbial communities, nutrient availability, and soil aggregates in organic tomato production. Plant and Soil. 282: 209-225.
  13. ↑ Requena, N, E Perez-Solis, C Azcón-Aguilar, P Jeffries, and J Barea. (2000). Management of indigenous plant-microbe symbioses aids restoration of desertified ecosystems. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 67: 495-498.
  14. ↑ Cardoso, Irene M.; Kuyper, Thomas W. (2006). "Mycorrhizas and tropical soil fertility". Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 116 (1–2): 72–84. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2006.03.011.

External links

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