CRITERIA OF NUTRITIVE RELATIONS OF FUNGI AND SEED-PLANTS IN MYCORRHIZAE

Abstract

Nutritive engagements of fungi and seed-plants vary in a closely graded series from pathogenic parasitism through symbiosis to instances in which mutual effects, beneficial or adverse, result from mechanical adherence or contiguity in the substratum. The origination, flow and ultimate conversion of nutritive compounds as detd. by cytochemical methods are used as criteria. Auxins, hormones, phospholipids, nucleoproteids and carbohydrates, as well as electrolytes are metabolized and translocated from the fungus to the orchids examined and to pines. In addition, the material necessary for flower, fruit and seed-formation of chlorophylless orchids are derived from the fungus partner. The possibilities of genetical effects of P complexes foreign proteins, and other compounds introduced into the embryo of orchids are presented.