Researching the potential of forest tree mycorrhizae

Summary During the last century important ecological and physiological principles in mycorrhizal associations were discovered. Effects of litter extracts on the microflora, nutrient uptake and translocation; hormonal relations, the M factor, and physiogical requirements of ectomycorrhizal fungi and metabolite exchanges are among those of particular significance. Reconsideration of this era of mycorrhizal research is worthy of current consideration since progress particularly in physiology has been slow. To derive the potentially vast benefits from mycorrhizal associations in field applications and to achieve genetic alteration to improve physiological benefits derived from mycorrhizas, fundamental characteristics and biochemical mechanisms in the fungus-root complex must be better understood.