Arbuscular Mycorrhiza in Glucosinolate-Containing Plants: The Story of the Metal Hyperaccumulator Noccaea (Thlaspi) praecox (Brassicaceae)

There are several metal-hyperaccumulating species within Brassicaceae, which are also characterized by high glucosinolates content, which are secondary compounds with pronounced effects in plant-biotic interactions. It is generally believed that glucosinolates prevent the formation of mutualistic symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Arbuscular mycorrhization is known to develop in the roots of the majority of terrestrial plants, and it is recognized as conferring beneficial effects on plants, primarily by improved nutrient uptake and increased stress resistance. The association of the Cd/Zn-hyperaccumulating Noccaea (Thlaspi) praecox (Brassicaceae) with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi has been documented under field and laboratory conditions, although the incidence of colonization is low. It was nevertheless demonstrated that this association can lead to improved mineral nutrient uptake, thus confirming the functionality of this symbiosis in N. praecox. This arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is accompanied by changes in glucosinolates patterns, which might be related to the fungal accommodation within the root system, although this relation still needs to be confirmed. Moreover, metal-induced changes in the glucosinolates patterns in N. praecox can indirectly affect the plant defense capabilities, which highlights the complexity of plant responses in metal-hyperaccumulating plants. N. praecox is thus an interesting model species for studies of interactions between accumulated metals, and of the glucosinolates and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.