Summary
Published in PLoS Pathogens in 2012, this review by Corradi and Bonfante examines the evolutionary origins of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, a mutualistic association estimated to have first evolved approximately 450–460 million years ago coinciding with plant terrestrialisation. The authors likely synthesise genomic, phylogenetic, and molecular evidence to argue that conserved signalling machinery — the so-called common symbiosis pathway — underpins both AM and rhizobial symbioses, suggesting deep evolutionary roots. The paper is considered a foundational reference in understanding how this ecologically critical plant–fungal relationship evolved and persisted across the majority of land plant lineages.
UK applicability
Although this is a fundamental evolutionary and molecular biology review with no specific geographic focus, its findings are broadly applicable to UK agricultural and horticultural practice, given that AM fungi are present in most UK soils and their function is directly influenced by tillage, phosphorus fertilisation, and crop rotation decisions.
Key measures
Phylogenetic divergence data; genomic conservation of symbiosis-related gene families; evolutionary timescales of AM symbiosis establishment
Outcomes reported
The paper likely examines the evolutionary trajectory of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, drawing on genomic and phylogenetic evidence to infer how this mutualistic relationship between plants and Glomeromycota fungi arose and was maintained. It probably discusses the molecular signalling pathways conserved across plant lineages that underpin AM colonisation.
Topic tags
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