Mortierella Species as the Plant Growth-Promoting Fungi Present in the Agricultural Soils

Abstract

In the most recent scientific reports based on the DNA or RNA-analyses a widespread presence of the filamentous fungi, Mortierella in various environments has been shown. Some strains of this genus belong to the plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) and are found in the bulk soil, rhizosphere and plants tissues. These microorganisms are also often found in the extremely hostile environments, responsible for improving access to the bioavailable forms of P and Fe in the soils, the synthesis of phytohormones and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, and last but not least the protection of agricultural plants from pathogens. Furthermore, earlier reports classified Mortierella spp. as the saprotrophic microorganisms isolated from the forest litter, and nowadays their status as a very valuable decomposers in the agricultural soils was confirmed. The key features like the ability to survive under very unfavorable environmental conditions and the utilization of carbon sources contained in polymers like cellulose, hemicellulose, chitin make these fungi efficient as the agricultural inoculants. The growing interest in the application of Mortierella spp. is mainly due to the potential use of this genus in the increase of the nutrient uptake efficiency, positive effect in crop protection against adverse conditions, and reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides applied. Moreover, activities of Mortierella species selected from the wild or cultivated plants influence the soil microbiota and support the performance of the beneficial microorganisms enhancing significantly crop yield.

Mycobiome Composition and Diversity under the Long-Term Application of Spent Mushroom Substrate and Chicken Manure

“…Fungi from this phylum are commonly found in various environments, and are found in the bulk soil, the rhizosphere, and plant tissues; therefore, they play a very important role in the carbon cycle and organic matter decomposition. They are also known as plant growth-promoting fungi [62]. In contrast to our results, in Amazon farmland, the other phyla were most abundant, rather than Ascomycota [63], but the results were based on other markers than ITS1.…”

Heavy Metal-Resistant Filamentous Fungi as Potential Mercury Bioremediators

“…Mortierella alpina isolates, representatives of Mucoromycota, were recovered infrequently from the rhizosphere soil samples, and exhibited sensitivity for the principal contaminant at the investigated site, Hg, and for Cu. Mortierella genus is known for establishing beneficial associations with plants, providing enhanced growth and stress tolerance against pathogens [106][107][108]. It is likely that plants are unable to select isolates with increased HM resistance, but may select certain species providing beneficial effects instead.…”

Response of Fungal Diversity, Community Composition, and Functions to Nutrients Management in Red Soil

“…The fungal species from this phylum can be found in various environments, including rhizosphere and plant tissues, playing an important role in the carbon cycle and decomposition of organic matter. These fungal species are also recognized as plant growth-promoting fungi [ 57 ]. Our findings are consistent with previous research on agricultural soils [ 58 , 59 ] and forest soils [ 60 , 61 ], where Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the most prevalent phyla.…”