Ancient fungus forms new partnership with mustard plants used in farming
Researchers published findings in Current Biology showing Arabidopsis thaliana can partner with Mucoromycotina fungi.
Mustard plants form fungal links
Scientists previously believed the mustard family could not connect with underground fungal networks. New evidence shows Arabidopsis thaliana establishes a functional resource-sharing partnership with an ancient soil fungus. This discovery overturns the long-held view that these crops lack the necessary genetic components for such relationships.
Fungi bypass standard signaling routes
The Mucoromycotina lineage diverged from other fungi 620 million years ago. Because of this ancient split, the fungus uses a different communication method than usual soil microbes. This unique mechanism allows it to pair with plants that normally reject fungal partners.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.