Projects: Mycorrhizas and Plant Growth
It is well accepted that mycorrhizal fungi improve plant growth, either through increases in nutrient capture, improved resistance to disease causing organisms, or improved drought tolerance. However, mycorrhizal fungi differ in their tolerances to environmental conditions and in the structure and quantity of fungal hyphae (thread-like filaments) that they produce. It has been suggested that differences in the amount of hyphae produced and the degree that the hyphae explore soil could be related to the functional role that the mycorrhizas play for the plant. For example, some mycorrhizas may increase a plants drought tolerance while others might increase resistance to disease. The actual functional role of many species of mycorrhizal fungi is not well understood but nonetheless important for understanding their role in forest health.
Our laboratory has initiated research into determining the functional role of some mycorrhizal fungi colonizing beech here at the arboretum. Our approach is to use a combination of greenhouse and field studies aimed at understanding the role of different mycorrhizal species in plant growth and photosynthesis. We are particularly interested in the effects of mycorrhizas on early plant life stages.
