Mycorrhizal fungi biodiversity in Canadian soils

Abstract

The term "mycorrhiza" refers to the mutualistic symbiosis between fungi and the roots of a vast majority of vascular plants, distributed over almost any ecosystem. The fungal symbionts, primarily recognized for their beneficial impact on plant growth and plant protection, are integral components of soil ecosystems and as such, play an active role in improving plant productivity and diversity, soil microflora and microfauna diversity, and soil quality. Classified among major groups of true fungi, the study of their biodiversity and distribution has been explored for only a few decades. Major emphasis was first put on the mycorrhizal status of plants, on the evaluation of their benefits to plant growth, on their geographic distribution and soil inventories, and more recently on their relationship to plant diversity and productivity. In the 1950s, Canadian scientists were among world pioneers in the field of mycorrhizae research and they continue to be recognized by the international scientific community. Studies dealing with soil biodiversity of mycorrhizal fungi, including arbuscular, ecto-, ectendo-, ericoid- and orchid mycorrhizae, performed by Canadian researchers are presented here together with strategies and perspectives for a better exploitation of mycorrhizal fungal diversity in ecosystems.