While previous studies indicated that the interaction between mycorrhizal fungi and plant enemies cause changes in overall plant performance, there have been no experimental studies explicitly studying the interactions between mutualistic mycorrhizal fungi and viral pathogens. Here we investigate the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) on plant performance.
Climate Change:
Predicting the effect of increasing CO2 on ecosystems, requires that we understand how excess atmospheric CO2 alters the strength and nature of multiple, co-occurring species interactions. In particular, both microbial mutualists and pathogens of plants can modulate plant-carbon cycles. Thus, the growth, fecundity and population dynamics of these two groups of widespread microbes may modify plant performance in response to elevated CO2.
Here we investigate the impact of AMF and species PAV of BYDV on plant performance in response to abiotic changes in atmospheric CO2 and phosphorous addition.
Collaborators: Charles Mitchell (UNC), James Umbanhowar (UNC), Kent Burkey (USDA-ARS), Shuijin Hu (NCSU)
Publications:
Rúa, MA., Umbanhowar, J., Hu, S., Burkey, K., Mitchell, CE. 2013. “Elevated CO2 spurs reciprocal positive effects between a plant virus and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus.” New Phytologist. 199:541-549.
Relevant Links:
International Culture of Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, INVAM
Rúa Microbial Community Ecology Lab 