@proceedings {50532,
	title = {Hybrid vigor, structural modification, and enhanced plant performance induced by symbiotic fungi-plant interactions},
	year = {2005},
	month = {July 30-August 5},
	address = {Hilo, Hawaii},
	abstract = {Communities of symbiotic fungi are intrinsically integrated with single cells, tissues, and organs of desert plants. They are obligately associated with living tissues and generally cannot be isolated and cultured separately. Symbiotic fungi indigenous to native desert plants were transferred, using cell culture methods, to nonhost plants and reciprocally transferred between native grasses. Crop and native plants with recipient fungi have astounding and increased levels of vigor.  Up to fivefold increases in root and shoot biomass and substantial morphological changes and reproductive potential were obtained. Enhanced chlorophyl and phosphorous content were common responses. Once integrated, fungi were intimately interfaced with the plasmalema of the new host plant and were ecto-cytoplasmically inherited. This technology accesses a previously unexplored source of genetic variability within native ecosystems with the potential of immediate transfer to improve tolerance of native and crop plants to stress, disease, and pests.  Symbiotic fungal transfers provides a powerful alternative for genetic improvement of plants.},
	keywords = {enhanced plant performance, hybrid vigor, structural modification, symbiotic fung-plant interactions},
	author = {J.R. Barrow and M.E. Lucero and P. Osuna-Avila and I. Reyes-Vera and Aaltonen, R.E.}
}
