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Poster

Session: Session 2 Presenting Authors at Posters (Evens)

P-220 - Common mycelial network modulates neighbour-primed plant defences against foliar pathogens by co-opting distinct inter-plant metabolic and biotic stress responses

Thursday, July 17, 2025
13:30 - 15:15  
Location: Confex Hall 3
Local and inter-organ signaling in immunity and mutualistic interactions

    Presenting Author(s)

  • ZO

    Zigmunds Orlovskis

    Researcher
    Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre
    Riga, Riga, Latvia

    • Author(s)

  • DP

    Daniels Pugačevskis

    Researcher
    Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre
    Riga, Riga, Latvia

  • V

    Ēriks Voroņins

    Researcher
    Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre
    Riga, Riga, Latvia

  • AK

    Annija Kotova

    Researcher
    Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre
    Riga, Riga, Latvia

  • IN

    Ilva Nakurte

    Researcher
    Institute for Environemntal Solutions
    Priekuļi, Cesu, Latvia

  • IS

    Ivars Silamiķelis

    Researcher
    Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre
    Riga, Riga, Latvia

  • SL

    Soon-Jae Lee

    Researcher
    University of Lausanne
    Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form common mycelial networks (CMNs) linking multiple plant hosts and are hypothesized to function in inter-plant communication (information exchange) to modulate plant biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, no studies to date have adequately tested the role of inter-plant CMN connections in receiver plant transcriptomic and metabolome responses, particularly distinguishing confounding effects of hyphal damage. To elucidate the contribution of CMN integrity to neighbour-primed plant defences, we used AMF Rhizophagus irregularis to inter-connect two Medicago truncatula plants and explored the effect of sender wounding and flg22 elicitation on receiver plants’ leaf responses and pathogen tolerance. For the first time, we demonstrate that induced changes of plant defence and signalling pathways in receiver plant is dependent on inter-plant signals mediated by CMN rather than mere damage of fungal hyphae. This response was associated with distinct isoprenoid production, including volatile monoterpenes and triterpene saponins. Furthermore, CMN-mediated signals from stressed senders enhanced receiver resistance to Fusarium sporotrichoides whilst simultaneously increasing susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea. Our findings highlight the critical role of CMNs in inter-plant signalling by modulating gene expression and metabolite profiles that may encode factors underlying pathogen-specific susceptibility and resistance in natural systems.