Both a Growth‐Defence Trade‐Off and a Leaf N: P Stoichiometric Imbalance Can Account For Ectomycorrhizal Hyphae Inhibited Non‐Host Plant Growth

作者：Yanliang Wang, Xin Wei, Jian Zhan, Jing Yuan, Guixian Zheng, Wen Zhou, Xinhua He, Fuqiang Yu · 发表于：Plant Cell & Environment · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1111/pce.15564 · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions、Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis、Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity

ABSTRACT Previous studies indicated that ectomycorrhizal (EM) hyphae can access non‐host plant roots and inhibit their growth, with the underlying mechanisms remaining largely unexplored. This study established a tripartite co‐culture system consisting of EM fungi supported Quercus Mongolica and non‐host plants Arabidopsis thaliana or Setaria italica . Plant growth, nutrient concentrations, transcriptome, microbial communities and fatty acids were determined to comprehensively understand the effects of EM on non‐host plants. The results showed that roots of non‐host plants were colonised by EM hyphae of Scleroderma , which significantly inhibited non‐host growth and decreased their leaf [N], but increased leaf [P] and leaf free fatty acid concentrations. A small amount of 15 N was transferred from non‐host to Q. mongolica leaves. Foliar N application alleviated EM hyphae inhibited non‐host plant growth. Genes associated with plant‐pathogen interaction and defence hormone responses were activated, but those involved in photosynthesis and growth hormone responses were suppressed in A. thaliana leaves. Our findings suggest that a growth‐defence trade‐off, in conjunction with a leaf N: P stoichiometric imbalance, may explain the observed inhibition of non‐host plant growth by EM hyphae. This study provides insights into ectomycorrhiza mediated host and non‐host plants interaction, which is important for plant community establishment.