Robotic imaging reveals complex secrets of plant-fungal networks
Plant-fungal trade networks draw down around 13 billion tons of CO2 per year into the soil — equivalent to ~1/3 of global energy-related emissions. Despite their global importance, scientists did not understand how these brainless organisms construct expansive and efficient supply chains across their underground networks.
Now, new research has used advanced robotics to track the hyper-efficient supply chains formed between plants and mycorrhizal fungi as they trade carbon and nutrients, discovering new fungal behaviour. Scientists discovered that the fungi construct a lace-like mycelial network that moves carbon outward from plant roots in a wave-like formation. Moving resources bi-directionally, controlling their flow and speed as needed and deploying special growing branches as microscopic ‘pathfinders’ to explore new territory.
I heard about this a while back. Very cool stuff. Fungi are so little known and so important.