In nature, the roots of most plants are infected by symbiotic fungi to form mycorrhiza which play a central role in the capture of nutrients from the soil. Most of our knowledge of the biology of the mycorrhizal symbiosis has been derived from studies carried out under controlled conditions in the laboratory or glasshouse. There is an increasing awareness of the need to extend these studies to the more natural situations in which the symbiosis evolved and in which it normally functions. This volume brings together a series of papers which place major emphasis upon mycorrhizal function in nature. They consist of edited and revised contributions to the Third European Symposium on Mycorrhizas, held at the University of Sheffield, 19-23 August 1991.

Originally published in 1989, this book presents a detailed analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur utilization by fungi. Based on the 1988 British Mycological Society symposium, it is broadly based, covering four basic areas: physiology and metabolism of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur by fungi; role of these minerals in pathogenic relationships with plants; their role in mutualistic relationships with plants; and the role of saprotrophic fungi in cycling of the elements through ecosystems. This book will be of interest to research workers, advanced students and teachers of mycology, plant pathology, plant nutrition and soil ecology.