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“Mycology-Mycorrhizae-Plant Biotechnology” at the University of Murcia

Asunción Morte González (PI)

Researcher

Other Members

José Eduardo Marqués Gálvez

Researcher

Francisco Arenas Jiménez

Researcher

Laura Andreu Ardil

Predoctoral Researcher

Research Lines

  • Biology of mycorrhizal symbiosis established by desert truffles (hypogeous ascomycetes) with Cistaceae species from semi-arid and arid environments: physiology, biochemistry, genes involved in plant-fungus interaction, and associated fungal and bacterial communities.
  • Multi-omic characterization of complex molecular mycorrhizal interactions in Mediterranean shrublands.
  • Studies on abiotic stress adaptation in plants of agronomic and landscaping interest through beneficial soil microorganisms (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and PGPR and MHB bacteria).

Representative Publications

  • Guarnizo AL, Marqués-Gálvez JE, Arenas F, Navarro-Ródenas A, Morte A (2025) Morphological and molecular development of Terfezia claveryi ectendomycorrhizae exhibits three well-defined stages. Mycorrhiza 35:51.
  • Arenas F, Marqués-Gálvez JE, Guarnizo AL, Andreu-Ardil L, Morte A, Navarro-Ródenas A (2025) Winter soil mycelium dynamics of Terfezia claveryi are shaped by rainfall and temperature in Mediterranean shrublands. Scientific Reports 15: 40727
  • Andrino A, Sauheitl L, Guggenberger G, Boy J, Fernandes-Figueiredo A, Arenas F, Navarro-Ródenas A, Marqués-Gálvez JE, Morte A (2025) Determining the nutritional importance of common mycelial networks in a desert truffle mycorrhizal symbiosis for soil nitrogen redistribution. Rhizosphere 34, 101055.
  • Marqués-Gálvez JE, de Freitas Pereira M, Nehls U, Ruytinx J, Barry K, Peter M, Martin F, Grigoriev IV, Veneault-Fourrey C, Kohler A. (2025) Comparative transcriptomics uncovers poplar and fungal genetic determinants of ectomycorrhizal compatibility. The Plant Journal 123(2): e70352.
  • Romero P, Botía P, Morote EI, Morte A, Navarro JM (2025) Microbial inoculation differentially affected the performance of field-grown young monastrell grapevines under semiarid conditions, depending on the rootstock. Agronomy-Basel 15, 2570
  • Guarnizo AL, Navarro-Ródenas A, Calvo-Polanco M, Marqués-Gálvez JE, Morte A (2023) A mycorrhizal helper bacterium alleviates drought stress in mycorrhizal Helianthemum almeriense plants by regulating water relations and plant hormones. Environmental and Experimental Botany 207, 105228
  • Arenas F, López-García A, Berná LM, Morte A, Navarro-Ródenas A (2022) Desert truffle mycorrhizosphere harbors organic acid releasing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, essentially during the truffle fruiting season. Mycorrhiza 32: 193-202
  • Marqués-Gálvez JE, Miyauchi S, Paolocci F, Navarro-Rodenas A, Arenas F, Perez-Gilabert M, Morin E, Auer L, Barry KW, Kuo A, Grigoriev IV, Martin FM, Kohler A, Morte A (2021) Desert truffle genomes reveal their reproductive modes and new insights into plant-fungal interaction and ectendomycorrhizal lifestyle. New Phytologist 229: 2917–2932
  • Arenas, F, Navarro-Ródenas, A, Marqués-Gálvez, JE, Ghignone, S, Mello, A, Morte A (2021) Different patterns in root and soil fungal diversity drive plant productivity of the desert truffle Terfezia claveryi in plantation. Environmental Microbiology 23(10): 5917–5933
  • Marqués-Gálvez JE, Navarro-Rodenas A, Peguero-Pina JJ, Arenas F, Guarnizo AL, Gil-Pelegrin E, Morte A (2020) Elevated atmospheric CO2 modifies responses to water-stress and flowering of Mediterranean desert truffle mycorrhizal shrubs. Physiologia Plantarum 170: 537–549

Projects

Asunción Morte (2025-2028). TAIE. Truffle Agroforestry Innovate & Empower. State Research Agency, PRIMA programme (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area). Reference PCI2025-163207.
Asunción Morte (2021-2026). UNDERGROUND. Nutritional and reproductive mechanisms involved in desert truffle fructification. MCIN – State Research Agency. Reference PID2020-115210RB-I00.

Patents

Andrino A, Morte A, Honrubia M. (2012) Method for producing Cistaceae family plants able to establish mycorrhizae with different desert truffle species (ref. ES201100216), active until 14/02/2031.

Featured Methods

  • Gas exchange measurements (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, etc.), root hydraulic conductivity, and plant water potential.
  • Plant and fungal gene expression analysis.
  • Isolation, characterization, and production of mycorrhizal inoculum.
  • Isolation, characterization, and production of bacterial inoculum (PGPR and MHB bacteria).
  • Morphological and molecular quantification of mycorrhization.
  • Metagenomic and transcriptomic analyses of fungal and bacterial communities in roots and soils.
  • In vitro culture of plants and transformed roots.

Collaborations with Other National and International Groups

  • Antonietta Mello, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), National Research Council (CNR), Italy.
  • Francesco Paolocci, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Perugia Division, National Research Council (CNR), Italy.
  • Annegret Kohler, Francis M. Martin, Claire Veneault-Fourrey, Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, Centre INRAE GrandEst – Nancy, University of Lorraine, Champenoux, France.
  • Alberto Andrino, Institute of Soil Science, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany.