Objective
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION
1. BACKGROUND
1.1. CURRENT STATE-OF-THE-ART OF RESEARCH IN THE FIELD
Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) are a universal symbiosis between plants and fungi and essential components of soil-plant systems. They are very common and occur in the majority of plant species in natural and agro-ecosystems. Colonization by AM fungi results in the formation of internal structures (arbuscule) within the root and an extensive external mycelium. They thus act as a major interface between plants and the soil, by influencing or regulating resource allocation between abiotic and biotic components of the soil-plant system. They are involved in many key ecosystem processes, including nutrient cycling and soil structural conservation, and have been shown to improve plant health through increased protection against abiotic and biotic stresses.
Increasing environmental degradation and instability, due to anthropogenic activities, and in particular the fragility of the soil resource has led to an increased awareness of the need to develop practices resulting in more sustainable natural and agro-ecosystems. Sustainability can be defined as the successful management of resources to satisfy changing human needs while maintaining or enhancing the quality of the environment and conserving resources.
Because of the fundamental importance of AM in key ecosystem processes, an understanding of the symbiosis is an essential prerequisite for the development of any sustainable soil-plant system.
Achievements of the past COST Action 810 on "Arbuscular Mycorrhizas (1989-1993)"
In the beginning, five countries were involved in this Action. The number has since expanded to eleven, involving more than 45 laboratories. In addition, applications from two eastern European countries were approved in 1992.
Although the complexity of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is great and thus research is necessarily multidisciplinary, the consolidation of research into well-structured project groups (8) led to effective organization. Because of this, co-operation between laboratories during the period 1989-1993 was extensive and largely achieved by a combination of specialist scientific meetings (15) and exchanges of scientists (46 up until the end of 1992) both promoting co-ordination and combining scientific expertise. This co-operation has been extremely effective and has resulted in a number of transnational experiments, publications (in particular two special issues of International Revues), EC Research Proposals and the formation of an arbuscular mycorrhizal taxonomical database, the Bank of European Glomales.
Considerable advances have been made in the following topics:
1. The positive role of AM in nutrient cycling (especially P) and in improving soil structure.
2. The importance of AM on abiotic stress tolerance and their role in preventing heavy metal and radionuclide uptake by plants.
3. The role of AM in protecting plants against soil pathogens.
4. The synergistic action of AM on N fixing activities (e.g. Rhizobium) and in general with beneficial soil bacteria.
5. The influence of AM fungal colonization on root morphology and gene expression resulting in a more efficient underground system.
6. The improvement of our knowledge in the physiological, biochemical, and structural aspects of plant-fungus exchanges.
7. The applications of AM to the production of micropropagated plants.
8. The establishment of the Bank of European Glomales (BEG) (AM fungi).
1.2. WHY THE CO-OPERATION SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF COST
The new orientation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP of the EC) requires the development of new and more ecologically balanced approaches to plant production. The consequent necessity to understand biological processes in nutrient transformation, plant protection and soil conservation increases the need for intensifying research into mycorrhizas.
Because of its complexity, mycorrhiza research calls for a multi-disciplinary approach that can be achieved only by combining scientific expertise and resources from several member states. This Action will effectively promote such co-ordination, resulting in more efficient use of both Community and national funds in order to develop and maintain a European approach to understand the function of mycorrhizas in soil-plant systems.
1.3. HOW THE ACTION RELATES TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMMES
An important aspect of our activity is to improve the promotion of collaboration with other COST Actions dealing with "Micropropagation" and "Early Detection of Plant Pathogens".
The creation of the Bank of European Glomales (BEG) will also form the base for an exchange of comprehensively characterized fungal strains among European research groups as well as within the equivalent co-ordinating structure in Northern America (INVAM).
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION
This Action will achieve three main objectives:
1. to promote and co-ordinate precompetitive research on the impacts of arbuscular mycorrhizas in sustainable plant-soil systems within Europe;
2. to provide the necessary know-how for increasing the competitiveness of European research at a crucial moment for the development of new management techniques in agriculture: i.e. the use of soil micro-organisms as a biological tool to improve plant development and health;
3. to promote biotechnology in the production and application of mycorrhizal fungi in sustainable agriculture, particularly through the BEG.
3. SCIENTIFIC CONTENT
This Action is built on COST Action 810 achievements, and the following new orientations are proposed to consolidate research on arbuscular mycorrhizas.
3.1. MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI: BIODIVERSITY, PHYLOGENETICS AND POPULATION DYNAMICS
Fungal isolates beneficial to agriculture and the environment will be identified, utilizing all available techniques, i.e. from morphology to molecular biology. Their genetic make-up and functional groupings (pH range; stress tolerance; nutrient scavenging ability) will be characterized to enhance understanding and management of the symbioses. Methods of germplasm conservation will be established. The BEG registration scheme and co-operative sharing of well characterized cultures to assist in achieving common research goals will be progressed to make information available to European (international) laboratories. An expert system for identification of European mycorrhizal fungi will be developed.
The relationships among different components of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal populations with emphasis on the interaction with other soil micro-organisms will be elucidated.
3.2. GENETICS AND PHYSIOLOGY OF MYCORRHIZAL SYSTEMS
The genetic component of mycorrhizal fungi-plant interactions must be identified. Symbiotic genes must be isolated and their products and modes of action characterized. Selection systems in the past have inadvertently selected for mycorrhizal fungi that can tolerate high nutrient levels, but which may not be most beneficial to the plant under low-input systems. Understanding this will assist in reversing this trend and selecting plants for optimum symbiotic efficacy and hence reduced dependence on inorganic fertilizers.
The regulating mechanisms of AM for growth and morphogenesis, especially in relation to root architecture (involved in nutrient and water uptake) should be better understood. The biological routes through which the plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communicate need to be better defined at the molecular and cellular level.
Such knowledge will allow us to select and manage fungus-plant partners best matched to their environment.
3.3. MYCORRHIZAS IN SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS: THEIR ROLE IN BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLING
Resources available to plants are limited, and mycorrhizas can greatly help in their better use. They can be of particular benefit to low-input agriculture and to the environment through improving plant growth, development and health.
Despite recent progress, there is still a need to increase our understanding of the mycorrhizal mechanisms involved in plant growth and edaphic processes such as biogeochemical cycling: maintenance and restoration of soil structure, stability and fertility; and soil rehabilitation: mitigation of desertification and erosion. The role of external mycelium of mycorrhizas in phosphate uptake is understood, but its activity in relation to other macro- and micro-nutrients and organic matter cycling requires comprehensive investigation. Further research is needed on interactions between the mycelium of AM fungi and other soil organisms.
The relevance of mycorrhizas in set-aside lands and their importance to ruderal plant communities in relation to plant succession and diversity needs to be elucidated through ecological and physiological studies.
3.4. MYCORRHIZAS IN ABIOTIC AND BIOTIC STRESS ALLEVIATION AND PLANT PROTECTION
As the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers is reduced, plants bred for use in high-input systems will come under increasing stress. New varieties of plants must be bred for these new low-input agricultural systems. The entire plan-AM fungi system must be considered in order to obtain optimal use of available resources.
Currently there are no satisfactory pesticides for the control of most root pathogens. Arbuscular mycorrhizas have been shown to reduce damage by such pests under some circumstances. Interactions between AM and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and other biocontrol agents appear to be effective for the biological control of root pathogens. Investigation into the incidence and mechanisms of this effect should be pursued with the aim of making use of them for the improvement of plant health.
Pollution and other damage caused by human activity can result in a reduction in plant health through stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizas improve nutrient balance and have been shown to alleviate the problems caused by heavy metal pollution. They also may influence plant water relations and assist plant establishment in sites subject to desertification. Current knowledge of the role of AM in alleviating stress and in plant protection is limited and research is urgently required in order to provide a scientific basis for the development of optimal plant-AM systems.
4. TIME-TABLE
The time required to pursue the scientific projects will be four years. The evaluation of the progress of the Action will be by annual meetings on specific subjects in the following sequence:
1994: methods of germplasm conservation, the molecular techniques for characterizing the biodiversity of AM fungi and the establishment of an expert system for identification of European AM fungi.
1995: research progress on the mycorrhiza genes for assisting plant breeders in selecting plants for optimum symbiotic efficacy.
1996: - regulating mechanisms of AM in relation to root architecture and plant development;
- elucidation of the biological routes of communication between host plants and AM fungi.
1997: the role of arbuscular mycorrhizas in biogeochemical cycling, soil structure and aggregate stability and on the impact of AM fungi in biotic and abiotic stress alleviation and plant protection.
A final meeting will be held in 1998 to evaluate the achievement of the Action. International experts from outside Europe will be asked to participate and provide a critical analysis on the achievements.
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5. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
The action will be divided into the following 4 new working groups:
1. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: biodiversity, phylogenetics and population dynamics.
2. Genetics and physiology of arbuscular mycorrhizal systems.
3. Arbuscular mycorrhiza in sustainable systems: their role in biogeochemical cycling.
4. Arbuscular mycorrhiza in abiotic and biotic stress alleviation and plant protection.
Co-ordinators of these working groups will be designated by the Management Committee. These working groups will meet regularly to co-ordinate and promote research activities.
Annual evaluation meetings (see Time-table) will be held:
- to review the results achieved and will included non-European-Experts and Officials from the EC Commission;
- to promote co-operation within the participating institutes;
- to finalize publications; and
- critically to evaluate progress achieved in practical applications.
Special emphasis will be placed on promoting mycorrhizal research in Eastern European Countries through organizing working meetings on the development of experimental approaches and methodology. Research activities on mycorrhiza from the different European regions will thus be integrated within a pan-European Action.
The Management Committee will meet at least once a year, if possible in conjunction with the annual meeting.
Based on the previous experience of co-operation between COST 810, COST 88 and COST 87, joint working groups will be established between this Action on arbuscular mycorrhiza and other relevant COST Actions. The Management Committee of these Actions will establish the rules of such co-operation.
The final evaluation of the Action is specified under "4. TIME-TABLE".
6. ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF THE ACTION
Western Europe 70 man-years scientific staff
70 man-years technical staff
Eastern Europe 10 man-years scientific staff
(without CES) 10 man-years technical staff
Total 160 man-years
50 man-years X 60 000 ECU ECU 3 million
50 man-years X 40 000 ECU ECU 2 million
60 man-years X 20 000 ECU ECU 1,2 million
Total personnel costs ECU 6,2 million/year
Laboratory equipment and consumable ECU 2,4 million
Overhead costs ECU 1,1 million
Total estimated costs covered from national sources ECU 9,7 million/year.
Current status
At the present time the work in COST Action 821 has been focused and shared among five Working Groups :
WG 1 : Biodiversity, phylogenetics and population dynamics of mycorrhizal fungi
WG 2 : Genetics and physiology of mycorrhizal systems
WG 3 : Mycorrhizas in abiotic and biotic stress alleviation and plant protection
WG 4 : Mycorrhizas in sustainable systems - their role in biogeochemical cycling
WG 5 : Development of the Banque Européenne des Glomales (BEG).
By combining scientific expertise and resources from many laboratories (presently from 22 countries), this COST network plays an important part in promoting development of the multi-disciplinary approach necessary for progress in the complex field of mycorrhizal research. The COST Action 821 Network represents an important forum for presenting and discussing advances in mycorrhizal research. Furthermore, it acts as a melting pot for various new initiatives in mycorrhizal research and development.
Several joint Working Group Meetings of COST 821 and COST 822 have been devoted to the novel biotechnical approaches to plant production.
The "Feasibility Study of the Future Structure of La Banque Européenne des Glomales (BEG) - an Essential Tool for Efficient International Collaboration in Europe" has been achieved. This contract was the last of a series of three contract studies (BEG Data Base, 1993; and BEG Expert System, 1994), financed by COST, to support the establishment of a functional BEG structure for the conservation, identification and characterisation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, the most essential soil microorganisms in sustainable soil-plant systems. Furthermore, official links have been established with the corresponding North American Glomales Collection (INVAM) in order to exchange biological material and expertise.
For further information :
MoU for the implementation of a European Research Action on "arbuscular mycorrhizas in sustainable soil-plant systems" (COST Action 821 - Doc. COST/269/94)
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1049 Brussels
Belgium