Summary
Smith and Read's 'Mycorrhizal Symbiosis' (3rd edition, 2008) is a seminal reference text synthesising several decades of research on the biology and ecology of mycorrhizal associations. The work provides comprehensive coverage of the mechanisms by which arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi enhance host plant acquisition of phosphorus and micronutrients including zinc and copper, drawing on laboratory, glasshouse and field-based evidence. It remains a foundational resource in soil biology and plant nutrition research, widely cited in studies examining nutrient cycling and the agronomic potential of mycorrhizal inoculants.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK arable, horticultural and grassland systems, where phosphorus availability and micronutrient sufficiency are recurrent management concerns; the text informs UK research and practice on reducing synthetic phosphorus inputs and supporting soil biological health under sustainable farming frameworks.
Key measures
Plant P, Zn and Cu uptake (relative and absolute); hyphal contribution to nutrient transfer; colonisation rates
Outcomes reported
The book reviews evidence on how mycorrhizal fungi mediate the uptake of phosphorus, zinc and copper by host plants, synthesising experimental findings across a wide range of plant and fungal species. It reports on the mechanisms by which fungal hyphae extend the effective root absorptive surface area and enhance mineral nutrient acquisition.
Topic tags
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