Common mycelium networks with Paraglomus occultum induce better plant growth and signal substance changes between trifoliate orange seedlings

Mycorrhizal mycelium can simultaneously colonize two and more neighboring plants to form common mycelium network (CMNs), whereas the information regarding CMN effects on endogenous signal substances is limited. In this study, a rootbox was separated by 37- or 0.45-μm mesh to establish donor chamber (the presence of roots and hyphae) and receptor (hyphae presented or not, free of roots) chamber, where an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Paraglomus occultum was inoculated into trifoliate orange seedlings of donor chamber to illustrate the underground communications of signal substances by CMNs. Mycorrhizal colonization resulted in better plant growth performance and greater root morphology in donor and receptor plants. AM inoculation increased significantly the root nitric oxide (NO) and calmodulin (CaM) levels of donor plants, regardless of 37- and 0.45-μm mesh, and subsequent CMNs induced higher root NO and CaM levels in receptor plants. Mycorrhizal colonization did not produce significant changes in root zeatin riboside (ZR) levels of donor plants, but CMN hyphae modulated lower root ZR levels of receptor plants. Mycorrhizal inoculation and subsequent CMN hyphae induced lower root gibberellin levels of donor and receptor plants, and only CMN hyphae produced lower root methyl jasmonate concentrations of receptor plants. Our results first reveal the underground communication of CaM, NO, and ZR by CMNs with P. occultum between trifoliate orange seedlings.