0 - Mycological Society of America

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NOTES AND COMMENTS
FROM A SYMPOSIUM ON "THE FUTURE OF MYCOLOGY" (MSA 1984 ANNUAL MEETING, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO)
Prospects for Mycological Contribution to Mycorrhizology : A Promising Mutual ism
The symposium on "Future Directions in Mycology" has led to a diverse set of reactions
from mycologists. There have been three major themes presented to this point: the impor-
tance attached to mycologists as they can identify members of the kingdom Myceteae, the loss
of existing jobs in mycology, and the inability to convince administrators to hire mycologists
in new positions. I will suggest an alternative approach. Often the perception by others of
the first point has led to the last two problems; the last two problems cannot really be ad-
dressed by mycologists. I be1 ieve the future of mycology as a discipline rests not with
administrators who make appointments but with the workers in the field. Mycologists must
make their future, not expect it to be given to them.
In 1976 there were seven papers published on mycorrhizae in MYCOLOGIA, nine new mycor-
rhizal projects reported in the MSA NEWSLETTER, 46 "fungal-oriented" papers on mycorrhizae
listed in BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS, and 79 total mycorrhizal papers listed in BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS.
In 1983, there were six papers published on mycorrhizae in MYCOLOGIA, eight new mycorrhizal
projects reported in the MSA NEWSLETTER, 49 "fungal-oriented" papers on mycorrhi zae 1 i sted
in BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS, and 186 total papers on mycorrhizae listed in BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS.
There was a 2.4-fold increase in total publications dealing with mycorrhizae with no increase
in the rate of mycological contributions to this field. I suggest that these figures indi-
cate that there has been a major recent "awakening" in the study and significance of mycor-
rhizae that has not incl uded mycologists . The 1982 symposi um on mycorrhi zae co-sponsored by
the Ecological Society of America and the Mycological Society of America had nine participants,
only two of whom were mycologists. Our 1984 symposium had five MSA members out of eight
participants, but it appears that an understanding of one of the two symbionts, the fungus,
is being sadly neglected.
Mycologists have a rich heritage of mycorrhizal research. Mycorrhi zae were originally
described in a project designed to grow truffles. Early mycorrhi zal research was primarily
completed by mycologists and foresters. However, at present, most appl ied and basic research
is being completed by ecologists and plant pathologists. This research is concentrated in
four major areas: production and nutrient cycling, surveys, benefits to the host, and tax-
onomy. Ecosystem ecologists continue to dominate the first area. Most recent estimates
suggest that mycorrhizal fungi represent a 4% direct carbon drain on plants and are a rel-
atively small biomass component. Comnunity ecologists and some mycologists are extensively
involved in survey work. However, surveys generally do not describe the fungal types and
their habitats but concentrate on what plant species form mycorrhizae. Physiological and
growth benefits to the host plant in response to mycorrhizae have predominantly come from
plant pathologists and physiologists . Indeed, when working on mycorrhi zae, one can become
a reasonable plant physiologist because an adequate data base exists to describe the plant
response. However, minimal fungal physiology data exist to apply to the interaction. We
are missing basic organismal physiology dealing with fungal nutrient transport capacity,
water re1 ations and carbohydrate needs. These relati onships are essential to continue our
research on the physiology of the symbiosis. The one area in which mycologists dominate the
research is in taxonomy. Although this area is extremely important, it is often perceived
as a hindrance to scientific progress, and more effort to relate taxonomic differences to
functioning differences should be made.
I be1 ieve job prospects for mycologists working with mycorrhizae have never been better.
There are numerous jobs particularly in ecology and agriculture in which experience with
mycorrhizae is a highly desirable trait. Reclamation, agribusiness (particularly mycorrhiza--
ferti 1 izer interactions) and genetic engineering companies are a1 1 involved in mycorrhiza-
related projects. Funding for mycorrhizal research through NSF and USDA has never been higher.
However, to compete for these opportunities, mycologists must be aggressive and have some