Heavy metal stress impacts fungi/plant relationships
Heavy metal pollution can alter the relationship between trees and the fungi that support them, according to research from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), offering new insights into how forests respond to environmental stress.
In his PhD research, Maarten Ottaway investigated the symbiotic relationship between poplar trees and the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor, examining how exposure to zinc and cadmium influences their interaction.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi form extensive underground networks around tree roots, helping plants absorb water and nutrients while receiving sugars in return. The partnership is regarded as essential for the health of many forest ecosystems.
Ottaway found that different metals affected the relationship in contrasting ways.
"Metal pollution causes stress in both plants and fungi," he said.
"We wanted to understand what happens to their partnership when they are exposed to metals such as zinc and cadmium."
While zinc reduced the level of cooperation between the tree and fungus, cadmium appeared to stimulate the symbiotic relationship.
The research also identified evidence that fungal networks can transmit stress signals internally. Exposure to cadmium generated signals that spread through parts of the fungal network which had not been directly exposed to the contaminant.
"This suggests that there is an internal communication system within the fungus," Ottaway said.
"Fungi appear to transmit stress signals over greater distances than we have been able to demonstrate so far."
The study also identified a protein thought to play a role in these stress responses. According to the researchers, the protein behaves differently from similar proteins previously described in yeasts and pathogenic fungi, opening new avenues for understanding the biology of ectomycorrhizal species.
Beyond advancing fundamental knowledge, the work could help improve understanding of how forests respond to pollution and environmental change.
"Forests play a crucial role in our biodiversity, in climate regulation and in carbon sequestration," Ottaway said.
"To protect these ecosystems, we need to better understand how trees and fungi respond together to pollution and other forms of stress."
Pic: Jim Holden, RBG Kew
Related Content
Genomic study sheds light on ‘Typhoid Mary’ carriers
Researchers have carried out the first large-scale genomic study of enteric fever carriage in England and Wales, revealing that the …
International team to investigate origins of evolutionary innovation
A University of Aberdeen researcher has secured a prestigious international grant to investigate how entirely new traits evolve in animals. …
Gut monitoring device secures £1.6m for clinical studies
A Midlands medical technology company has secured £1.6m to evaluate a device designed to monitor gut health by analysing bowel …
