Inorganic Nitrogen Uptake and Transport in Beneficial Plant Root-Microbe Interactions

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), ectomycorrhiza (ECM) and nitrogen (N) fixation through rhizobia symbioses (RS) play a critical role for plant nutrient use efficiency in natural ecosystems, usually characterized by nutrient limitation, especially regarding nitrogen and phosphate. Substantial evidence has accumulated about how the rational use of microsymbionts’ properties should significantly contribute to decreasing fertilizer and pesticide use in agriculture and forestry. Understanding the mechanisms underlying high N use efficiency by mycorrhizal/rhizobial plants and carbon allocation in a context of mutualistic biotrophic interactions is critical for managing both croplands and forests while taking care of the ecosystem services rendered by microbial symbionts. Availability, uptake and exchange of nutrients in biotrophic interactions drive plant growth and modulate biomass allocation, and these parameters are central to plant yield, a major outcome in the context of high biomass production. To unravel the symbiotic N “transportome” blueprint from various host plant combinations, it is critical to facilitate the first steps favoring the manipulation of crops toward greater nitrogen use efficiency and mycorrhizal or rhizobial ability. The present review addresses current knowledge on inorganic N transport in mycorrhizal/rhizobial symbiosis.

Keywords:

• inorganic nitrogen
• transport
• arbuscular mycorrhiza
• ectomycorrhiza
• legume rhizobia symbiosis

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support by the ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche) (TRANSMUT ANR-10-BLAN-1604-0), the Germaine de Stael program (TRANSBIO 26510SG), the Swiss National Science Foundation (ambizione grant PZ00P3_136651 to P-E.C.), Burgundy Regional Council (PARI Agrale 8), and the Australian Research Council.