P acquiring mechanisms of mycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi are known to increase plant P uptake through soil exploration via extra-radical hyphae and release of phosphatase enzymes to access organic P sources and/or low-molecular weight organic anions to release P sorbed to soil particles. In exchange for nutrients the plant supply the fungus with carbon from photosynthesis.

However, mycorrhizal fungi with different P acquiring mechanisms could contribute to more efficient use of differently biologically available P forms by plants through ‘resource partitioning’.

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