Figures (2)  Tables (2)
    • Figure 1. 

      The formation of AM symbiosis improves the stress tolerance of host plants. The phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and other essential nutrients in soil are transferred to the host plants via extraradical hyphae to increase the quality and yield of host plants. The formation of AM symbiosis also enhances the defense of the host plants against various pathogens and the tolerance to HMs (heavy metals) and salt stresses. The thickness of the gray arrow represents the amount of N leaching.

    • Figure 2. 

      The molecular mechanism of AM symbiosis in vegetables. (a) RMS1/4/5 are involved in biosynthesis of SLs that promote the spore germination and prime the branching of extraradical hyphae. SlLYK10 binds to COs/LCOs that are secreted by AMF to regulate AM symbiosis. CSSP is required for the early invasion of intra-hyphae and branching of arbuscule. PvRbohB negatively affects the early invasion of intra-hyphae by controlling ROS levels in beans. GmPAP33 negatively regulates the arbuscule degeneration by promoting the hydrolysion of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid. (b) Many proteins located on PAM, such as SlPT4, SlHA8, SlHAK10 and GmAMT4.1, are required for the exchange of the nutrients and signals between AM and host plants. In addition, GRAS proteins, such as DELLA, RAM1 and RAD1, can regulate the formation of arbuscule.

    • Abbreviated nameFull nameNumber of spore wallsMycorrhizal structures stained
      by trypan blue
      A. laevisAcaulospora laevis3V, A, H
      C. claroideumClaroideoglomus claroideum1V, A, H
      C. etunicatumClaroideoglomus etunicatum1V, A, H
      D. nigraDentiscutata nigra3A, H
      F. monosporusFunneliformis monosporus1V, A, H
      F. mosseaeFunneliformis mosseae1V, A, H
      G. albidaGigaspora albida1A, H
      R. clarumRhizoglomus clarum1V, A, H
      R. intraradicesRhizoglomus intraradices1V, A, H
      R. irregularisRhizophagus irregularis1V, A, H
      S. sinuosaSclerocystis sinuosa1V, A, H
      V, vesicles; A, arbuscules; H, hyphae.

      Table 1. 

      The morphological characters of different AM fungi[77, 78].

    • GeneOrganismGene functionMutant phenotype involved in AM symbiosisReference
      RMS1PeaRequired for the biosynthesis of SLsReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[40]
      RMS4PeaRequired for the biosynthesis of SLsReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[41]
      RMS5PeaRequired for the biosynthesis of SLsReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[40]
      NAPeaRequired for the biosynthesis of GAsIncreased the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[46]
      SlCCD7TomatoRequired for the biosynthesis of SLsReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[44]
      SlIAA7TomatoRequired for the biosynthesis of SLsReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[45]
      SlLYK10TomatoRequired for the perception of LCOsReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[48]
      SlLYK12TomatoRequired for the perception of LCOsReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[49]
      SlCCaMKTomatoRequired for the calcium ion spiking in the nuclearReduced the early invasion of intra-hyphae and the branching of arbuscule[48]
      SlCYCLOPSTomatoRequired for the induction of RAM1Reduced the early invasion of intra-hyphae and the branching of arbuscule[51]
      GmSYMRKα/βSoybeanRequired for the calcium ion spiking in the nuclearReduced the early invasion of intra-hyphae[52]
      PvRbohBBeanRequired for the production of ROSIncreased the early invasion of intra-hyphae[53]
      CRY/LA
      (DELLA)
      PeaRequired for the induction of RAM1 and interacted with MYB1Inhibited the branching and the degeneration of arbuscule[46]
      SlDLK2TomatoRemains unknownIncreased the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[60]
      SlPT4TomatoRequired for the transporting of phosphateReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[54]
      SlHA8TomatoRequired for the generation of H+ gradientInhibited the branching of arbuscule[57]
      SlHAK10TomatoRequired for the transporting of potassiumReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[56]
      TSBTomatoMicrotubules-associated geneReduced the colonization levels of AM symbiosis[62]
      GmPAP33SoybeanRequired for the promotion of hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acidIncreased the percentage of small arbuscule[63]

      Table 2. 

      The genes involved in the formation of AM symbiosis in different crop species.