#5 Rooted in Symbiosis: How Plants and Microbes Work Together - With Tora Fougner-Økland and Jonathan Jelen
03.07.2025 21 min
Zusammenfassung & Show Notes
What happens when plants and microbes join forces? In this episode, we dive into the world of symbiosis -specifically, the close and cooperative relationships between plants and microbes, such as arbuscular mycorrhiza and root nodule symbiosis. Our guests, doctoral students Tora Fougner-Økland and Jonathan Jelen from the Faculty of Biology at LMU Munich, guide us through the invisible but essential exchanges of nutrients and signals that take place in the soil. We explore how microbes access plants, how these interactions benefit both sides, and why they’re crucial for the future of sustainable agriculture.
Tora and Johnny also share what it's like to pursue a doctoral degree within a large, collaborative research network - and how science thrives on teamwork, both in nature and in academia.
Because our research network is made up of scientists from different countries, we’ve recorded this episode in English. Have a nice listen!
Notes on the discussed symbioses:
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a mutualistic association between the roots of most terrestrial plants and fungi from the phylum Glomeromycota. In this relationship, the fungi colonize plant roots and extend their hyphae into the soil, enhancing water and nutrient uptake - particularly phosphorus - while receiving sugars and lipids produced by the plant through photosynthesis. This ancient and widespread symbiosis plays a crucial role in plant health, soil fertility, and ecosystem stability.
- Legume root nodule symbiosis is a mutualistic interaction between leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, primarily from the genus Rhizobium. The bacteria infect plant roots and form specialized structures called nodules, where they convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the plant can use for growth. In return, the plant supplies the bacteria with malate and a protective environment. There are some examples where stem nodules are formed. Sesbania for example is a genus of leguminous plants that includes species capable of forming stem nodules - a relatively rare and specialized type of symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.