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The spatial distribution of acid phosphatase activity in ectomycorrhizal tissues depends on soil fertility and morphotype, and relates to host plant phosphorus uptake
Author(s) -
ALVAREZ MARICEL,
HUYGENS DRIES,
DÍAZ LEILA MILENA,
VILLANUEVA CLAUDIA AÑAZCO,
HEYSER WOLFGANG,
BOECKX PASCAL
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2011.02422.x
Subject(s) - ectomycorrhiza , biology , acid phosphatase , mycelium , botany , fungus , shoot , phosphorus , mycorrhiza , soil fertility , symbiosis , soil water , enzyme , ecology , chemistry , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics , organic chemistry
Acid phosphatase (ACP) enzymes are involved in the mobilization of soil phosphorus (P) and polyphosphate accumulated in the fungal tissues of ectomycorrhizal roots, thereby influencing the amounts of P that are stored in the fungus and transferred to the host plant. This study evaluated the effects of ectomycorrhizal morphotype and soil fertility on ACP activity in the extraradical mycelium (ACP myc ), the mantle (ACP mantle ) and the Hartig net region (ACP Hartig ) of ectomycorrhizal Nothofagus obliqua seedlings. ACP activity was quantified in vivo using enzyme‐labelled fluorescence‐97 (ELF‐97) substrate, confocal laser microscopy and digital image processing routines. There was a significant effect of ectomycorrhizal morphotype on ACP myc , ACP mantle and ACP Hartig , while soil fertility had a significant effect on ACP myc and ACP Hartig . The relative contribution of the mantle and the Hartig net region to the ACP activity on the ectomycorrhizal root was significantly affected by ectomycorrhizal morphotype and soil fertility. A positive correlation between ACP Hartig and the shoot P concentration was found, providing evidence that ACP activity at the fungus:root interface is involved in P transfer from the fungus to the host. It is concluded that the spatial distribution of ACP in ectomycorrhizas varies as a function of soil fertility and colonizing fungus.