Over the course of evolution, plants have developed an elegant strategy to counteract a lack of phosphate in the soil—they form symbiotic relationships with soil fungi. These mycorrhizal fungi efficiently supply their plant partners with phosphate and other essential minerals.
Recently, scientists at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) in Halle, in collaboration with partners at the University of Bonn, discovered a molecular switch that detects the plant’s phosphate content and signals whether to initiate or inhibit the symbiosis. This signaling pathway could enable plants to form partnerships with soil fungi even when sufficient phosphate is available. The study, published in Science Advances, offers a potential solution to a longstanding agricultural problem and opens new avenues for reducing fertilizer use.
Microscopic image of arbuscular mycorrhizal structures within the root cortex cells of Lotus japonicus. Credit: Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aec5607