ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE
ALL GREEK TO ME!
In this article, Jason Pole explores the crop-friendly fungi focus of one of our crop PhD studentship projects, funded by AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. If your crop roots are in good nick, diversity and abundance has already there’s a decent chance they’ve been examined. For example, deep cuddled up with some potentially cultivations influenced AMF species powerful soil allies: arbuscular composition, with disrupted soils mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). potentially hosting fewer beneficial species. The word ‘mycorrhiza’ stems from two Greek words: mykos and rhiza, which mean ‘fungus’ and ‘root’, respectively. Unlike fungal pathogens, AMF taxa in the UK soil assessment which infect and damage plants, AMF samples, which will now be further form symbiotic relationships with investigated. roots – in a healthy game of give and take. With UK farming under increasing pressure to demonstrate its sustainability, AMF provides another great opportunity to harness and work with nature. The PhD, which receives part funding through the AgriFood Charities Partnership (AFCP), is due to conclude next year.
Cover crops, which deliver various benefits to farming systems, can also promote AMF. This aspect is under investigation in AHDB PhD student two fully replicated trials George Crane has in Norfolk (Bawburgh and developed a fascination for Morley). Various cover AMF, which are ubiquitous crop species are being in nature. AMF colonise tested – sometimes with root cells, undergo intense a helping hand in the form branching and form of commercially produced ‘arbuscules’ – sites for AMF inoculum (five fungus–plant metabolite species). exchange and nutrient The study has also linked with accumulation. Innovative Farmers (IF) too, to apply
Based at NIAB, George leads on a series of field-scale trials and glasshouse experiments that aim to tap into the potential of AMF for crop production. As part of a UK soil assessment programme, the effect of common farm practices on AMF
these findings at the farm scale. The research is providing a steer for onfarm trials at six sites that use cover crops and anaerobic digestate (AD) to influence AMF. So far, all trials have delivered mixed results. However, longterm use of cover crops is most likely to deliver a positive effect on AMF communities. The work has also refined the use of targeted primers that amplify specific AMF DNA. Such molecular approaches can help detect the presence of fungal species in soil samples. For example, George’s work has confirmed the presence of 87
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George Crane (left) Jason Pole (right)
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Scan the QR code for details of the Innovative Farmers Field Lab. ISSUE 11 | OCTOBER 2020
