Fungal Fight Club: phylogeny and growth rate predict competitive outcomes among ectomycorrhizal fungi.

ABSTRACT: Ectomycorrhizal fungi are among the most prevalent fungal partners of plants and can constitute up to one-third of forest microbial biomass. As mutualistic partners that supply nutrients, water, and pathogen defense, these fungi impact host plant health and biogeochemical cycling. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are also extremely diverse, and the community of fungal partners on a single plant host can consist of dozens of individuals. However, the factors that govern competition and coexistence within these communities are still poorly understood. In this study, we used in vitro competitive assays between five ectomycorrhizal fungal strains to examine how competition and pH affect fungal growth. We also tested the ability of evolutionary history to predict the outcomes of fungal competition. We fou

SUBMITTER: Smith AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10516346 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature