The role of mycorrhization helper bacteria in the establishment and action of ectomycorrhizae associations

More than 95 % short roots of most terrestrial plants are colonized by mycorrhizal fungi as soon as they emerge in the upper soil profiles. The establishment of mycorrhizal association involves profound morphological and physiological changes in root and fungus. It is affected by other rhizospheric microorganisms, specifically by the bacteria. Bacteria may have developed mechanisms of selective interaction with surrounding microorganisms, with neutral or positive effects on mycorrhizal associations, but negative effect on root pathogens in general. Because of the beneficial effect of bacteria on mycorrhizae, the concept of Mycorrhization Helper Bacteria (MHB) was created. Five main actions of MHB on mycorrhizae were proposed: in the receptivity of root to the mycobiont, in root-fungus recognition, in fungal growth, in the modification of rhizospheric soil and in the germination of fungal propagules. MHB appear to develop a gradation of specificity for the mycobiont, but little or no specificity for the host plant in symbiosis. One of the main groups of MHB is the fluorescent Pseudomonas, well represented in diversity and cell density studies of mycorrhizal associations. This review covers the activity of MHB in the establishment of ectomycorrhizae, taking as model the effects of Pseudomonas sp. described in scientific literature.