The role of fungal networks in modulating plant symbioses with competing root symbionts

大多数植物与丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)形成互惠共生关系，形成复杂的地下网络，通过共享的真菌菌丝连接相邻植物，称为共用菌丝网(CMN)。通过CMN，AMF向它们的植物伙伴提供原本无法获得的土壤养分，以换取整个网络中光合作用固定的碳。然而，植物很少单独与互助者联系在一起。相反，AMF通常与植物寄生线虫(PPN)等寄生虫一起占据根系，同时对植物生长和产量产生影响--与自然和农业生态系统相关的考虑因素。相互竞争的根共生体对跨CMN的菌根碳营养交换的影响尚不清楚；最主要的问题是，植物是否可以调节资源的提供，以“奖励”有益的伙伴和“制裁”寄生虫，以及CMN在补充共生体的碳供应方面的作用正在激烈辩论。

Most plants form mutualistic symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), forming complex, below-ground networks which connect neighbouring plants via shared fungal hyphae known as a common mycelial network (CMN). Through CMNs, AMF supply their plant partners with otherwise-inaccessible soil nutrients in return for photosynthetically-fixed carbon from across the network. However, plants rarely associate with mutualists alone. Instead, AMF often occupy root systems alongside parasites, such as plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), simultaneously with ramifications for plant growth and yield - pertinent considerations for natural and agroecosystems. The effect of competing root symbionts on mycorrhizal carbon-for-nutrient exchange across CMNs is unknown; the overarching question of whether or not plants can regulate provision of resources to "reward" beneficial partners and "sanction" parasites and the role of the CMN in supplementing C supply to symbionts being hotly debated.