Plants and Fungi: An Adventure That Began more than 400 Million Years Ago

Plants do not live in isolation. Ever since they colonized land about 400 million years ago, they have coexisted with a vast array of microorganisms that together form the plant microbiota. Around 72% of all plant species host within their roots fungi known as Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. This remarkable ecological success, sustained across time and space, is driven by a mutual exchange of nutrients that benefits both partners: the fungus enhances the plant’s mineral nutrition by acting as a natural biofertilizer, while gaining access to plant-derived carbon sources.

Speaker: Professor Emerita, Department of Life Sciences and Biological Systems, University of Torino, Accademia dei Lincei, Italy

Host: Dr. Jian-You Wang

Time:2025/12/08 11:00 AM

Location:Auditorium A134, Agricultural Technology Building