Mycorrhizal symbiosis: Ways underlying plant-fungus interactions

Abstract

Dissimilar and diverse symbiotic mycorrhizal interactions within plants and fungi occur, which is almost ubiquitous and universal, in the broad range of global ecosystems. The entire mycorrhizal communications achieve symbiotic functioning through development of an extensive contact surface area between plant and fungal cells, where exchange of nutrients and signals takes place. The swap of beneficial molecules within the plant and the fungal cytoplasm takes place both through their cell walls and the plasma membranes, having a purposeful chamber, known as symbiotic interface. Amongst all symbiotic interfaces, the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) relationship has intricate intracellular interface which gains major consideration since its first portrayal. It is dissimilar in ectomycorrhizae (ECM); here the fungus grows outside and inside the roots cell walls, which are constantly in direct contact and form interface within both the partners. The mycorrhizae are diverse fungi belonging to dissimilar fungal taxa and interact with roots around of 90% plant species and supply important nutrients for their growth. This also hypothesizes the flow of energy-rich composites required for nutrient mobilization and simultaneously transportation of mobilized products back to their host. Traditionally, these have chiefly been considered within pretty precise perspective of their effects on devouring dissolved mineral nutrients by plants. Enormous research work has been done which put emphasis on multifarious outlook of the mycorrhizal association with plant and also with associated microbial communities and ultimately on ecosystem processes. Consequently, the inputs of both partners in mycorrhizal association are starting to be decrypted to understand this knowledge for enhanced and progressive agricultural practices. The foremost aim of this chapter is to understand the prevailed information on mycorrhizal communications and interactions by integrating morphological observations with plants.