“How Plants Measure Chitin to Tell Friend from Foe in the Soil” — what this page in the network covers. Plants rely on a molecular measuring tape to distinguish beneficial fungi from harmful ones, according to new research. Chitin, the main structural component of fungal cell walls, is a chain of repeating sugar molecules. When fungi grow or decompose, chitin fragments of varying lengths are released into the soil. Plants detect these fragments to monitor the microbial community around their roots.
The length of the chitin chain acts as a signal: shorter chains often indicate friendly mycorrhizal fungi, while longer chains can trigger defense responses against pathogens. This precise detection system allows plants to allocate resources effectively, promoting symbiosis or mounting immunity as needed. Understanding this mechanism could lead to crops with improved fungal disease resistance or enhanced beneficial fungal interactions, reducing reliance on chemical fungicides. For the complete material, the listing points back to the source inside the network.