OakMycEvo · Functional ecology of the plant-fungus interface: Harnessing evolutionary genomics, transcriptomics and experimental ecology to dissect communication and nutrient exchange in a mutualistic symbiosis
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2019-10-01 → 2021-09-30
- EU contribution
- €174,806
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Functional ecology of the plant-fungus interface: Harnessing evolutionary genomics, transcriptomics and experimental ecology to dissect communication and nutrient exchange in a mutualistic symbiosis
Ectomycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous symbionts of forest trees. Tree and fungus engage in a mutualistic symbiosis where fungal mycelium grows around fine roots of the tree and both partners engage in a reciprocal exchange of nutrients – carbon (in the form of sugars) from the plant to the fungus, and nitrogen and phosphorous from the fungus to the plant. Besides supporting each other with nutrients, ectomycorrhizal symbiosis has also been shown to improve drought tolerance of trees and new seedling establishment. Ectomycorrhizal fungi, who form a recalcitrant mycelium in lower soil horizons, also contribute to capturing photosynthetically derived carbon in the soil. Consequently, ectomycorrhizal fungi have the potential to be important players in mediating global change, by improving resistance to drought, one of the extreme weather events projected to increase and already threatening survival of forests worldwide, as well as by acting as carbon sinks. Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis has evolved repeatedly and independently. Many ectomycorrhizal fungi are thought to be generalists but our understanding of the functional diversity of different ectomycorrhizal fungal species remains limited, especially at finer-scale resolution. The aim of this project was to improve our understanding of how closely-related generalist ectomycorrhizal species differ in interacting with a specific tree genotype. In particular, we wanted to know how these differences are mediated by nutrient availability (signifying a universally recognizable language) as opposed to elements of the plant immune system (more reflective of a fine-tuned, evolved response to specific interaction partners). A better understanding of how species-independent and species-specific processes influence the establishment of ectomycorrhizae and the phenotypic impact on the plant will be important not only for forest management but also to guide efforts in fungal conservation.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This proposal aims to construct an evolutionary framework for the molecular interactions between ectomycorrhizal fungi and their plant hosts. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis is a mutualistic association between fungi and trees that is founded on reciprocal exchange of nutrients, facilitating growth in nutrient-limited or otherwise stressful environments. The symbiosis has evolved independently in many fungal clades, raising questions about its evolvability and the ecological redundancy of different ECM fungi. The ability of one ECM fungus to functionally replace another is especially salient in light of environmental change and loss of biodiversity. What components of communication between fungus and plant are conserved among ECM species? How conserved are molecular interactions at different phylogenetic scales? What are the molecular mechanisms responsible for phenotypic variation? ECM fungi from the genus Amanita will be grown together with the host Quercus robur (pendunculate oak). Q. robur displays endogenous rhythmic growth with alternating root and shoot flushes, distinct physiological states of growth that influence interactions with ECM fungi. The fungal strains are selected to survey variation i) between different Amanita ECM species and ii) in comparison with closely related saprobic Amanita sp., using a phylogenomic approach. We will profile genes expressed on both fungal and plant side at different time points: during mycorrhizal development and in mature mycorrhizas, while separating each time point into periods of root flush and shoot flush. We will profile a compendium of traits related to the functioning and success of ECM symbiosis at each developmental stage. Together these results will allow us to develop a detailed mechanistic view of the genes and pathways underlying ECM symbiosis, their evolutionary dynamics across a phylogenetic gradient of fungal partners and their impact on the different physiological stages of plant growth.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR UMWELTFORSCHUNG GMBH - UFZ · LeipzigCoordinatorGermany
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union