AUTHOR=Kokkoris Vasilis , Hart Miranda 

TITLE=In vitro Propagation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi May Drive Fungal Evolution

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2019.02420

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2019.02420

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Transformed root cultures (TRC) are used to mass produce arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal propagules <italic>in vitro</italic>. These propagules are then used in research, agriculture, and ecological restoration. There are many examples from other microbial systems that long-term <italic>in vitro</italic> propagation leads to domesticated strains that differ genetically and functionally. Here, we discuss potential consequences of in TRC propagation on AM fungal traits, and how this may affect their functionality. We examine weather domestication of AM fungi has already happened and finally, we explore whether it is possible to overcome TRC-induced domestication.</p>