Diversity, distribution and function of plant-microbe symbioses

"Research has repeatedly shown that complex plant-microbe interactions have profound impacts upon a plant's growth, quality and life traits. Some microbes confer a range of abilities which help to promote growth through the removal of stress and plant antagonists, or through the mobilisation of nutrients. Conversely, others actively cause a drag on several key growth parameters through parasitism. A large portion of these interactions happen with the rhizosphere, the region of soil surrounding a plants root system
Of these interactions, arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), a mutual symbiotic association between plants and fungi, presents one of the most widespread beneficial symbioses currently known. Until recently, all arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were thought to have belonged to the phylum Glomeromycota. In recent years it has become apparent that fine root endophytes (FREs) belonging to the phylum Mucoromycotina form similar AM symbiosis. Unfortunately, Within historical studies on AM symbiosis the presence of FREs has inadvertently been reduced, or in many cases completely removed, through the classic methods of AM extraction. Due to this, our collective knowledge of AM function, diversity, ecology and life history has been based almost exclusively on the glomeromycotan fungi.
This project will look to investigate the diversity, distribution, genome and function of these arbuscular mycorrhizae in changing environments, across a series of factors (time, spatial distribution, biotic and abotic). A key focus on comparative analysis between those that sit within the classic Glomeromycota and the newer Mucoromycotinas (focusing on the FREs) will be undertaken in attempt to identify both the similarities and differences between the two distinct groups of AM. This project aims to highlight the key factors that appear to govern the distribution and diversity of FRE and Glomeromycotan symbiosis. "