Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

A tripartite bacterial-fungal-plant symbiosis in the mycorrhiza-shaped microbiome drives plant growth and mycorrhization.

Zhang C, van der Heijden MGA, Dodds BK, Nguyen TB, Spooren J, Valzano-Held A, Cosme M, Berendsen RL.

Microbiome · 2024

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Summary

This study describes a tripartite symbiosis between bacterial, fungal, and plant partners within the plant microbiome, with particular focus on arbuscular mycorrhizal associations. The authors demonstrate that specific microbial consortia shaped by mycorrhizal interactions drive measurably improved plant growth and mycorrhizal colonisation. The work contributes to understanding how multi-kingdom microbial partnerships enhance plant performance, relevant to soil health and sustainable intensification.

UK applicability

The findings on mycorrhizal-mediated microbial function are broadly applicable to UK horticultural and arable systems, particularly regarding soil health management and reduced-input strategies. However, geographic specificity of the microbial consortia and climatic applicability to UK conditions would require further validation in British soils.

Key measures

Plant growth parameters (biomass, height, root development), mycorrhizal colonisation rates, microbial community composition and abundance

Outcomes reported

The study characterised a tripartite microbial symbiosis involving bacteria, fungi and plants, and measured its effects on plant growth rates and mycorrhizal colonisation. Outcomes likely included quantified changes in plant biomass, shoot/root development, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal abundance.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil microbiota and plant-microbe symbiosis
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial or controlled experiment
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Horticulture
DOI
10.1186/s40168-023-01726-4
Catalogue ID
NRmo9zxr64-00b

Topic tags

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