Lipids of mycorrhizas

Abstract

This chapter deals with the distribution, biochemistry and physiology of lipids in mycorrhizas including plant-fungi interactions aspects. Considering the heterogeneity of existing symbiosis and the diversity of associated fungi and plant partners, the main mycorrhizal types, ecto, arbuscular, ericoid and orchid symbiosis, are treated separately inside each section of the text. Subdivided into six sections, the text begins with a survey of mycorrhizal fungal lipids profiles with qualitative and quantitative treatments of lipid constituents included. The second section deals with the impact mycorrhizas, mineral nutrition and carbon cycling have on plant lipid metabolism. The third section focuses on lipid changes during the different stages of mycorrhizal fungi development as of the storage lipids. The fourth section describes up to date research investigations on the impact of fungicides, pollutants and exogenous lipids on fungal lipid metabolism. The final section covers evaluation tools currently available to characterize and quantify mycorrhizas and mycorrhizal soil communities. This chapter is directed towards both fundamental and applied research workers and aims to provide an extensive and up to date review of present knowledge relevant to a diversity of aspect related to mycorrhizas.