Effective and flexible methods for visualizing and quantifying endorhizal fungi

Abstract

Fungi associated with plant roots are gaining prominence as to their importance for plant survival in a diversity of terrestrial ecosystems. Assessing the importance of interaction types depends in part on quantifying interaction prevalence, particularly in plants harvested from natural ecosystems. In turn, this depends on a sensitive method for fungal visualization, and a reliable method for quantifying potentially multiple endorhizal morphotypes. Recent developments in these areas are discussed. © 2008 Springer Netherlands.