The scientists' discovery could not only have a significant impact on all terrestrial ecosystems, but also make
Scientists have discovered an amazing geneticregulation between plants and their microbial symbionts, known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF are obligate plant symbionts that grow in the roots of plants and help their hosts grow better and be more resistant to environmental factors.
The genetics of AMF has long been unknown; thenwhile typical cells carry one nucleus, AMF cells carry thousands of nuclei, which can be genetically diverse. How these nuclei interact with each other and whether plants can control their relative numbers remained a mystery.
New research provides insight into thisunique genetic condition. First, the scientists found that the host plant symbiont affects the relative abundance of thousands of coexisting nuclei carried by their fungal symbionts. In addition, biologists have found evidence that coexisting nuclei with different genetic backgrounds interact rather than compete with each other. This potentially increases the growth benefits for both the fungi and their plant partners.
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Symbiont is an organism participating in symbiosis. A wide range of examples of mutually beneficial symbiosis (mutualism) occurs in nature.