Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization defines root ecological strategies in an extreme arid environment.

ABSTRACT: The symbiosis between mycorrhizae fungi and plant roots is essential for plant establishment in nearly all terrestrial ecosystems. However, the role of mycorrhizal colonization (colM) in shaping root ecological strategies remains poorly understood. Emerging research identifies colM as a key trait influencing the multidimensional covariation of root traits within the Root Economic Space (RES), where a 'collaboration gradient' is proposed. At one end of this gradient, species with larger root diameters (RD) rely on colM for resource acquisition through an 'outsourcing' strategy, while at the other end, species with finer roots and greater exploration capacity employ a 'do it yourself' strategy to acquire resources independently. Although the RES framework has improved our understanding of ro

SUBMITTER: Delpiano CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11774874 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature