|
|
Koide RT. 2000. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis and Plant Reproduction, pp. 19-46. In: Arbuscular mycorrhizas: physiology and function. Eds: Y Kapulnick and DD Douds Jr. Kluwer Academic Press.
Reproduction is an essential process for all living things. Moreover, for many crop species reproductive structures are the principle edible parts. Despite this, relatively little is known about the effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis on host plant reproduction. Common limitations to reproduction include nutrient deficiency, herbivory and disease. Mycorrhizal fungi may influence all three. Different host species may vary in their response to infection by mycorrhizal fungi. Temporal variation in respnse to infection by mycorrhizal fungi may also occur because of temporal variation in nutrient uptake in relation to nutrient demand. Several aspects of sexual reproduction may be influenced by infection by mycorrhizal fungi including the timing of reproductive events, the number of inflorescences per plant, the number of flowers per inflorescence, the amount of pollen per flower, the proportion of flowers producing fruits, and the number of seeds per fruit. Seed quality can also be strongly influenced by infection by mycorrhizal fungi, resulting in variation in seedling vigor and resultant competitive ability. Because infection by mycorrhizal fungi can influence interactions among plants, it may also influence the structure of populations and communities, determining, in part, the relative contributions by individuals to the next generation. Because infection by mycorrhizal fungi influences the nutrient and carbon status of hosts, it may indirectly influence herbivory and disease, both of which may limit reproduction. Several topics for future research are discussed.
|
