When plants feed on fungi: Novel method enables unrestricted isotope analyses

International research groups led by Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gebauer at the University of Bayreuth have now presented a new method in the journalthat makes it possible for the first time to apply isotope analyses to all forms of symbiosis betweenand fungi without restrictions. In principle, it will be possible in the future to determine which and how many nutrients each plant obtains from fungal partners.

However, many plants are heterotrophic: they use symbiosis with fungi, known as mycorrhiza, to extract carbon from their fungal partners: There are even plants that meet all their carbon needs in this way and have completely ceased their own photosynthesis.For many years, research into fungal-to-plant food transfer has taken advantage of the fact that the carbon produced by the plants themselves has an isotope profile different from the carbon present in the fungal partners.

Between the two reference values lies the isotopic profile of carbon in heterotrophic plants, which extract part of the required carbon from their fungal partners. In this way, isotope research has already brought to light a variety of new insights into symbioses between fungi and plants.Until now, however, research was subject to a considerable restriction: The fungal partners had to form their own fruiting bodies and store their carbon in them.

from the fungal filaments—the so-called hyphae—that were intertwined with the roots of plants. They were also able to isolate fungal nitrogen and hydrogen in this way., include a variety of examples of applications of isotope analysis that the new technique has now made possible."The doors are now wide open for ecosystem research on symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi," says Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gebauer.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Experts Reveal the Strategic Reason Why Prince William & Kate Middleton Often Wear Blue ClothesThere's always intentionality within the royal family –– even to the color scheme behind Prince William and Kate Middleton's clothing choices.
Source: SheKnows - 🏆 558. / 51 Read more »

How Often to Bathe a NewbornHow often should you bathe a newborn? Not too often. Learn when to bathe baby for the first time, why you shouldn’t bathe your newborn every day and more.
Source: thebump - 🏆 702. / 51 Read more »

Why Some People Get Sick More OftenGenetic susceptibilities, the environment and the body’s response to inflammation all influence our odds of falling ill
Source: sciam - 🏆 300. / 63 Read more »

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Often Inauthentic—Here's How To Find the Real StuffAlongside milk and honey, olive oil is one of the top three most fraudulent foods. But what exactly does this mean and how does it affect you as the consumer?
Source: iamwellandgood - 🏆 462. / 53 Read more »

Alaska drownings led the nation, with alcohol use and lack of lifejackets often involvedAlaska leads the nation in drowning deaths. The state's cold water is a factor, but so is human behavior. The Alaska Office of Boating Safety is working to put a dent in those numbers.
Source: AKpublicnews - 🏆 387. / 55 Read more »

Kendall Jenner, who can’t cut a cucumber, says she often cooks for friendsPerhaps the reality star-turned-supermodel has since learned a better slicing technique than the one that made her go viral in May 2022.
Source: PageSix - 🏆 320. / 59 Read more »