Document: NIC-3-13-6

Agroecology of mutualisms between plants and mycorrhizal fungi.

JORDAN, N.*

Agronomy & Plant Genetics Department, University of Minnesota ¹

Abstract:
A fundamental feature of plant biology is complex mutualism between plants and soil biota that associate with their roots. This mutualism is arguably of fundamental importance to sustainable agroecosystems, as one of the major engines by which biological diversity provides agroecological services. I will survey the agroecological significance of a particularly important instance of this mutualism, that between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). These relationships can affect many aspects of agroecological functioning, including plant productivity and tolerance of biotic and abiotic stresses, the biological provision of soil fertility and quality, and population dynamics of non-domesticated species in agroecosystems, including both organisms that are viewed as beneficials and those viewed as pests. Management of the plant-AMF relationship may offer important opportunities to improve these and other aspects of agroecosystem functioning. However, this management must be guided by understanding of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of the relationship. Several notable features and outcomes of these dynamics include potential for rapid change in the quality of the mutualism and its impacts on agroecological function, and the potential for formation of diffuse mutualisms among multiple plant species and associated AMF. These latter relationships may be important mechanisms by which agroecosystems develop resilient and regenerative properties important to sustainability.

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This abstract is being presented at: 10:45 AM in session:
Symposium # 14: Ecology and Agriculture.