Linking plants to rocks: ectomycorrhizal fungi mobilize nutrients from minerals

Plant nutrients, with the exception of nitrogen, are ultimately derived fro m weathering of primary minerals. Traditional theories about the role of ec to mycorrhizal fungi in plant nutrition have emphasized quantitative effect s on uptake and transport of dissolved nutrients. Qualitative effects of th e symbiosis on the ability of plants to access organic nitrogen and phospho rus sources have also become increasingly apparent, Recent research suggest s that ectomycorrhizal fungi mobilize other essential plant nutrients direc tly from minerals through excretion of organic acids. This enables ectomyco rrhizal plants to utilize essential nutrients fro m insoluble mineral sourc es a nd affects nutrient cycling in forest systems.