Bi1099 Mycorrhizal symbioses - from genes to biotechnology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation
Extent and Intensity
1/0. 1 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Miroslav Vosátka, CSc. (lecturer), RNDr. Milan Baláž, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
prof. Ing. Miloš Barták, CSc.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: RNDr. Milan Baláž, Ph.D.
Prerequisites (in Czech)
NOW( Bi1099c Mycorrhizal symbioses - pr. )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Mycorrhizal symbiosis is a relationship between soil borne mycorrhizal fungi and roots of majority of terrestrial higher plants. In majority of cases this relationship is beneficial for both partners - plant and fungus. Mycorrhiza has not only highly significant effects on individual plant but it also influences plant community structure and biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems. There are highly significant changes in plant physiology due to formation of mycorrhiza. The main changes are in nutrients uptake, exudation and hormonal balance of the plants. Mycorrhizal plants also differ in interaction with other biota in the rhizosphere and influence differently soil properties as compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. The lecture covers basic characteristics of mycorrhizal symbioses in respect to plant physiology and ecology, plant nutrition and stress tolerance. Scope of the lecture comes from molecular principles of symbiotic specificity, recognition of symbionts and their regulation to practical applications of mycorrhizal technology in horticulture, agriculture and forestry. The lecture is complemented by practices where the main techniques of mycorrhizal research and applications are demonstrated (laboratory and field sampling, detection of mycorrhizal fungi in plant roots, production of mycorrhizal inocula and its use for plant inoculations).
Syllabus
  • SYLLABUS OF THE LECTURE: 1. Introduction to ecophysiology of mycorrhizal symbioses: types and occurrence of mycorrhizas, basic physiological aspects. 2. Taxonomy and molecular identification of fungi, recent knowledge on fungal genetics. 3. Uptake of water and nutrients, hormonal balance and physiological response of plants induced by the symbiosis. 4. Adaptation of mycorrhizal plants to environmental stresses and mechanisms of plant response to xenobiotics heavy metals and organic pollutants. 5. Morphological and anatomical changes of mycorrhizal plant roots 6. Physiological changes of plants and effects of mycorrhiza on plant interaction in communities. 7. Changes of soil environment induced by mycorrhizal symbioses and their effects on plant nutrition and growth. 8. Interaction of mycorrhizal fungi and other rhizosphere microorganisms (actinomycetes, bacteria, saprotrophic and parasitic fungi). 9. Interaction of mycorrhizal plant roots with other biotic components of the rhizosphere (insects, nematodes, collembolans, mites etc.). 10. Practical aspects of mycorrhizal symbioses in plant production. 11. Overview of literature, preparations for exams
Literature
  • SMITH, SE and DJ READ. Mycorrhizal symbiosis. 3rd ed. London: Academic Press, 2008, 800 pp. ISBN 978-0123705266. info
  • GRYNDLER, Milan, Milan BALÁŽ, Hana HRŠELOVÁ, Jan JANSA and Miroslav VOSÁTKA. Mykorhizní symbióza. O soužití hub s kořeny rostlin (Mycorrhizal symbiosis. On the coexistence of fungi with plant roots.). 1. vydání. Praha: Academia, 2004, 366 pp. 1. vydání. ISBN 80-200-1240-0. info
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, spring 2012 - acreditation, Autumn 2016, Spring 2017, autumn 2017, spring 2018, Autumn 2018.