engleski

Impact of abiotic stresses on ectomycorrhizal symbiosis and role of ectomycorrhization on tree responses

In natural environments, long-lived and stationary organisms such as trees are subjected to a wide variety of environmental cues from both biotic and abiotic origins. With on-going climate change, it is expected to have more severe and recurrent abiotic stresses such as drought and ozone. All these combined abiotic stresses negatively impact trees productivity, e.g. by decreasing carbon assimilation and allocation to stems and roots. Still, only poor data exist regarding how these abiotic stresses can impact the functioning (bi-directional exchanges of nutrients) of ectomycorrhizal associations and the long- lasting positive effect of this symbiosis on tree productivity. It is thus crucial to address the challenging question of how trees interact with and respond to their biotic and abiotic environments at the same time. We aim at better understanding the molecular plasticity in the above and below part of mycorrhized poplar (Populus trichocarpa) trees under different environmental cues: drought and ozone. In this context, the specific objectives are to decipher the impact of these abiotic stresses on (i) metabolites, (ii) hormonal and (iii) transcript signatures of Populus leaves and ECM or no-ECM roots as well as the impact of ectomycorrhization on tree responses to stress. The first results of this project will be presented.

abiotic stress, ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, molecular plasticity

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