Mechanism of promotion of mycorrhizal symbiosis by light emitted from roots

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19123
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 39:Agricultural and environmental biology and related fields
• Research Institution: Saga University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Akihiro 佐賀大学, 農学部, 教授 (50305108)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 遠赤色光 / AM菌 / 共生 / 菌糸伸長 / 光質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is known that far-red light (FR) is efficiently transmitted through the stems and roots of herbaceous plants. Therefore, I examined the possibility that FR reaching the roots could promote mycorrhizal symbiosis in the ground. We found that FR irradiation at 700-910 nm could promote mycorrhizal hyphal growth. The expression of many membrane-related genes in mycorrhizal fungi was also examined under FR irradiation, and the results showed that the expression of many membrane-related genes fluctuated, suggesting that changes in membrane function may promote mycorrhizal fungi mycelial growth.

Free Research Field

作物生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

菌根菌と宿主植物の共生が成立するためには少なくとも菌根菌が分泌するファクターと宿主植物が分泌するストリゴラクトンの相互認識が必要であると考えられている。本研究では，それに加えて宿主植物から菌根菌への光によるシグナルが関与している可能性を示すものであり，植物生理学などの基礎研究に加え，土壌微生物学や土壌肥料学などの応用の側面が強い学問分野の教科書にも新たな記載を追加する極めて重要な研究である。