Plants Are Not Independent Organisms

In plant science education, students can develop their perception of plants as independent living organisms. However, the accumulated studies testify that plants are not living alone in nature. The current paradigm in plant science explains a plant as a holobiont (plant and interacting microorganisms), instead of a single organism. In the center of this new paradigm, there is a symbiosis between plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). About 80% of terrestrial plant species form mutualism with AMF that act as an extension of roots. The symbiosis is crucial for plant nutrient uptake from the soil as well as resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Although the symbiosis is crucial for plant physiology and ecology, the efforts for summarizing current understanding and formulating it for teaching are relatively poor. For efficient introduction in class, it is important to visualize the AMF living inside roots. However, the widely used methodology for staining requires a carcinogenic chemical. Based on the current state of knowledge in AMF biology, I introduce AMF and a safer methodology for visualizing AMF in plants. Furthermore, I provide suggestions for teachers to design class activities that could inspire students to learn and think about plant physiology and ecology together with AMF.