Bi6150 Mycorrhizal symbioses

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
RNDr. Milan Baláž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
RNDr. Milan Baláž, Ph.D.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Naděžda Bílá
Supplier department: Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
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
The aim of this course is acquaint the students with the most prevalent type of symbiosis on the Earth - mycorrhizal symbiosis, which substantially affects ecophysiological functioning of almost 90% of vascular plant species.
Learning outcomes
After passing this course, students are able to:
identify and characterize different types of mycorrhizal symbioses;
position the organisms involved with respect to current systematics;
compare them as regard their functioning and placement within symbiotic continuum;
discuss impact of these symbioses on plant growth and fitness and on natural as well as agroecosystems.
Syllabus
  • Symbiosis - concept, mutualism, parasitism, comensalism, neutralism, competition, facultative and obligate symbionts.

  • Mycorrhizal symbioses - arbuscular mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza, ectendomycorrhiza, orchid, arbutoid, monotropoid and ericoid mycorrhiza. Occurrence and taxonomy of symbionts. Intraradical and extraradical structures. Ecophysiological functions of mycorrhizas (model of multifunctionality). Effects on host metabolism - nutrient flows between symbionts (carbohydrates, phosphates and other low mobile nutrients, nitrogen compounds, water). Relations to other soil microorganisms - bacteria, saprotrophic and pathogenic soil-borne fungi. The effects on host growth and competition abilities. The role in plant community structure. Mycoheterotrophy. The role of mycorrhizas in life cycle of host plants.

  • N2 fixators. Taxonomy of the symbionts. Biochemical pathways of N2 fixation. Dual symbioses. The effects on plant growth and plant communities.
Literature
  • 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
  • SMITH, SE and DJ READ. Mycorrhizal symbiosis. 3rd ed. London: Academic Press, 2008, 800 pp. ISBN 978-0123705266. info
  • PETERSON, RL. Mycorrhizas: Anatomy and Cell Biology. NRC Research Press, 2004, 176 pp. ISBN 0-660-19087-7. info
  • RASMUSSEN, HN. Terrestrial orchids: from seed to mycotrophic plant. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. info
Teaching methods
Lectures.
Assessment methods
The course is finished by the oral exam. The basic facts presented in the lectures are required.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every other week.
General note: Přednášky jsou každý druhý týden, střídají se s cvičeními.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
http://elanor.sci.muni.cz/~mykorrhi
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2016, spring 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2025/Bi6150