Testing a Unified Hypothesis of Mycorrhizal Function

这项研究计划的主要目标是确定有助于预测丛枝菌根在自然和人工管理的生态系统中如何发挥作用的原则。丛枝菌根(AM)是由植物根部和专化真菌之间广泛存在的有益相互作用组成的。营养和光照的可获得性、真菌结构的资源分配模式以及进化历史都可能是控制这些生物有益效果的重要因素。本文提出的研究将检验这三个因素中每一个的重要性，并利用结果来建立菌根功能的统一假说。将在三个土壤养分特性不同的草原地点(堪萨斯州康扎草原、明尼苏达州雪松溪和伊利诺伊州费米拉布能源部(DOE)地点)研究菌根结构及其与其有益功能的关系。将在田间和温室研究中评估土壤养分浓度和光可获得性对菌根如何将资源分配给不同结构和功能的影响。这项拟议的研究将致力于将AM结构的现场测量与它们的相互作用联系起来。这项研究有几个更广泛的影响。它将在几个机构之间建立伙伴关系，包括国际合作。北亚利桑那大学在培训美洲原住民和西班牙裔学生方面处于独特的地位，通过让他们直接参与研究和学生发起的项目。

The primary goal of this research program is to identify principles that will help predict how arbuscular mycorrhizae function in natural and human-managed ecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are composed of widespread beneficial interactions between plant roots and specialized fungi. The availability of nutrients and light, patterns of resource allocation to fungal structures, and evolutionary history may all be important factors controlling the beneficial effects of these organisms. The research proposed here will test the importance of each of these three factors, and use the results to develop a unified hypothesis of mycorrhizal function. Mycorrhizal structure and how it relates to their beneficial functions will be studied at three grassland sites that differ in soil nutrient characteristics ( Konza Prairie, Kansas; Cedar Creek, Minnesota; Fermilab Department of Energy (DOE) site, Illinois). The effects of soil nutrient concentrations and of light availability on how mycorrhizae allocate resources to different structures and functions will be assessed in field and greenhouse studies. The proposed research will work towards linking field-based measurements of AM structure with their mutualistic function. There are several broader impacts of this study. It will forge partnerships among several institutions, including an international collaboration. Northern Arizona University is uniquely positioned to train Native American and Hispanic students by involving them directly in research and in student-initiated projects.