Ectomycorrhiza of Populus

• Poplar is a frequently analyzed tree species.
• Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis is an important player in the poplar lifetime.
• Genetics is a leading tool for advanced ectomycorrhiza studies.
• Poplar ectomycorrhiza studies span in vitro work to analyses of natural forests.

Populus species and hybrids (poplars, aspens, cottonwoods, etc.) are important trees in forestry and landscaping, whereas Populus trichocarpa is an internationally accepted model organism for tree research. Populus roots often form symbiotic relationships with ectomycorrhizal partners, and such relationships improve the host tree’s general condition and stress tolerance. Indeed, symbioses are very important factors in poplar physiology and consequently have been a subject of frequent investigation. The aim of the presented paper is to give a background knowledge about the current status of research on poplar-specific ectomycorrhiza (ECM), to highlight the most commonly used methods as well as effects of ECM research on poplar cultivation. I focus also on predominant topics in poplar ECM research, such as diversity and specificity of ECM strains, nitrogen acquisition, transgenic poplar research and stress response. Finally I discuss the perspectives of further poplar ECM research.

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