VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR (ENDO-) MYCORRHIZAS - CELLULAR, BIOCHEMICAL AND GENETIC-ASPECTS

This review deals with vesicular-arbuscular (endo-) mycorrhizas (VAM), a mutualistic symbiotic association concerning more than 80% of plant species. The different aspects that are considered are: (1) morphological integration between host plants and VAM fungi, the cellular modifications and possible signal molecules; (2) host plant control over fungal infection and development and possible mechanisms involved; (3) establishment of functional compatibility between the symbionts essential to reciprocal nutrient exchanges. Finally, recent advances in studies on plant genes controlling VAM development are discussed, together with the perspectives that such discoveries open for a molecular approach in VAM research.