Wege zur Endomykorrhiza. Einladung ans Buffet

The ancient arbuscular mycorrhiza represents a mutualistic symbiotic interaction of plants with soil‐born fungi. The fungus assists the plant in requiring mineral nutrients and water, whereas the plant supplies the biotrophic fungus with carbohydrates. This interaction is widespread and enables the plant to cope with unfavourable conditions (e.g. limited nutrient supply as well as drought, salt and heavy metal stress or pathogen attack). This review describes the state of the art concerning the establishment and regulation of the plant‐fungus interaction. Early signals leading to a successful colonization and the following mechanisms of the plant to host the fungus are explained. Another focus is given on the regulation of the transfer of carbohydrates to the fungus, the restriction of fungal growth by autoregulative mechanisms and the function of phytohormones, all part of a plant regulatory machinery that is necessary to ensure a functional and balanced symbiosis.