Blue worlds

Symbiosis between a Japanese bird’s-foot trefoil and a mycorrhizal fungus

For optimal growth, most plants are dependent on specific interactions with mycorrhizal fungi, which contribute to an additional supply of nutrients to the plant. During infection, the fungus penetrates through intercellular spaces into the cells of the plant root, enabling the interaction. This electron microscopy image shows the infection of two trefoil cells (Lotus japonicus) with a mycorrhizal fungus (blue). The fungus occupies a large area of the cells and is widely branched. A light grey space between the cells is visible in the centre of the image, which is permeated by a fungal hypha, a thread-like organ. Plant interactions with mycorrhizal fungi can play a major role in sustainable agriculture, as they naturally increase plant growth.