Summary
This paper, published in Acta Horticulturae in 2025, investigates the extent to which arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are necessary for the uptake of polyphosphate by host plants. Drawing on experimental work likely involving controlled plant–fungal associations, the study contributes to understanding the mechanistic role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in phosphorus cycling. The findings have implications for how soil phosphorus dynamics and fertilisation strategies are managed in horticultural systems.
UK applicability
Although the research is likely conducted in Israel, the underlying plant–mycorrhizal phosphorus dynamics are broadly applicable to UK horticulture and arable systems, particularly in the context of reducing soluble phosphate fertiliser inputs and enhancing soil biological activity under UK agri-environment schemes.
Key measures
Phosphorus uptake efficiency; polyphosphate concentration; mycorrhizal colonisation rate; plant phosphorus content
Outcomes reported
The study likely examined whether mycorrhizal fungi are a prerequisite for polyphosphate acquisition by plants, potentially comparing phosphorus uptake pathways in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. It may report on the relative contribution of fungal polyphosphate transport to overall plant phosphorus nutrition.
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