Horst Vierheilig
PhD, Senior Scientist
E-mail: horst.vierheilig@eez.csic.es
Phone:
+34 958 18 16 00 (ext. 147)
Fax: +34 958 12 96 00
Address:
Estación Experimental
del Zaidín
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
Calle Prof. Albareda 1
Apdo. 419
E-18008
Research interests
My main research interests can be summarized by
the term “symbiotic and
pathogenic plant- microbe interactions in the rhizosphere”.
Whereas numerous studies are perfomed on
above-ground plant interactions, plant interactions in the soil are somehow
neglected. For
obvious reasons research on roots is more complex than on above-ground plant
organs, however, the understanding of the biological bases of
plant interactions in the soil are a pre-requisite for future plant production
and protection strategies.
Main research lines
• Signalling
and regulatory events in symbiotic and pathogenic plant-microbe
interactions
• Interactions
between mycorrhizal plants and pathogens
• The
modulation of bioactive compounds in plants through soil-microorganisms
Studies running
● Supernodulating soybean mutants and the
AM and rhizobial autoregulation
● Resistance and autoregulation in mycorrhizal
plants
● Root exudates as primary signals in
plant-microbe interactions
● Flavonoids and phytohormones in the AM
and rhizobial autoregulation
● The modulation of the levels of
therapeutical compounds by microorganisms
● Enhancing food quality through the
modulation of secondary plant compounds by microorganisms
● Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungi
and biological control agents
Career History
1986 Diploma in Agronomy/Plant
production; Christian-Albrechts Universität Kiel/Germany
1986-90 PhD student, Spanish National
Research Council (CSIC)/Estación Experimental
1990 PhD (University of
Granada/Spain)
1990-93 Post-doctoral fellow, Botanical
Institute,
1993-95 Post-doctoral fellow, Faculté de
Foresterie et de Géomatique, Université Laval/Québec/Canada
1996 (Jan.-Nov.) Adjunct professor,
Faculté de Foresterie et de Géomatique, Université Laval/Québec/Canada
1996 (Dec.) –2002 Invited professor, Faculté de Foresterie et
de Géomatique, Université Laval/Québec/Canada
1999 Habilitation in Phytopathology,
Kiel University/Germany (equivalent to a D.sc.)
2002 (March–July) Invited professor,
Institute of Plant Protection;
2002-2007 Senior researcher,
2004 Vice-head of the
since
2007 (Sept.) Senior researcher of
the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Spanish National Research
Council (CSIC) at the Estación Experimental del Zaidín
(EEZ)/Granada /Spain
Main collaborations
Bashan Yoav: Center for
Biological Research of the Northwest (CIBNOR),
http://www.bashanfoundation.org/gmaweb/igma.html
Gresshoff Peter: ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research,
Lendzemo Venasius:
Ludwig-Müller
Jutta: Institut für Botanik, Technische Universität
Dresden, Dresden, Germany
http://www.biologie.tu-dresden.de/botanik/bot-home.html
Novak Johannes: Institute
for Applied Botany,
http://vmutpp.vu-wien.ac.at/vuw/vetmed/en_search_unit.show_unit?unit_id_in=104
Piché Yves : CRBF, Faculté de Foresterie et de Geomatique,
Université Laval, Ste-Foy,
Québec, Canada http://www.sbf.ulaval.ca/index.php?id=429
Staehelin Christian:
Xingangxi,
Steinkellner
Siegrid:
Institut für Pflanzenschutz; Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Vienna,
Austria http://www.dapp.boku.ac.at/ips.html
Bernardo Salazar from CIBNOR/
(see Bashan et
al. 2007. Mycorrhizal characterization of the boojum tree Fouquieria columnaris, an endemic ancient tree from the Baja
California Peninsula, Mexico. Trees - Structure and
Function 21: 329-335)
Publications see as well at: http://www.bashanfoundation.org/horst/horst.htm
2008
Vierheilig H, Steinkellner S, Khaosaad T, Garcia-Garrido JM (2008) The biocontrol
effect of mycorrhization on soil-borne fungal pathogens and the autoregulation
of the AM symbiosis: one mechanism, two effects? In: MYCORRHIZA: Biology,
Genetics, Novel Endophytes and Biotechnology. Ed. A Varma. Springer-Verlag,
Garcia-Garrido JM, Vierheilig H
(2007) From a germinating spore to an established arbuscular mycorrhiza:
Signalling and regulation. In: Advances in mycorrhizal biotechnology: a
Canadian perspective. Eds. D Khasa, Y Piché, A. Coughlan. NRC Research Press,
2007
Tawaraya
K, Watanabe S, Vierheilig H, Wagatsuma T (2007) Formation of appressoria by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora margarita on roots of Allium cepa is linked with root age. Mycoscience
48: 305-308
Steinkellner
S, Lendzemo V, Langer I, Schweiger P, Khaosaad T, Toussaint JP, Vierheilig H
(2007) Flavonoids and strigolactones in root exudates as signals in symbiotic
and pathogenic plant-fungus interactions. Molecules 12: 1290-1306
Getinet
D, Binner E, Smidt E, Toussaint JP, Vierheilig
H, Liebhard P, Lechner P (2007) Compost amendments affect yield and
mycorrhizal colonization of corn (Zea
mays L.) in marginal soils. In: Waste matters. Integrating views. Ed. P
Lechner. facultas.wuv p. 91-99
Scervino JM,
Herrera-Medina
MJ, Steinkellner S, Vierheilig H,
Ocampo JA, García Garrido JM (2007)
Abscisic acid determines arbuscule development and functionality in
tomato arbuscular mycorrhiza. New Phytol
175: 554-564
Meixner C, Vegvari G, Ludwig-Müller J, Gagnon H,
Steinkellner S, Staehelin C, Gresshoff P, Vierheilig
H (2007) Two defined alleles of the LRR receptor kinase GmNARK in supernodulating soybean govern
differing autoregulation of mycorrhization. Physiol Plantarum 130: 261-270
Bashan Y, Khaosaad T, Salazar BG, Ocampo JA, Wiemken A, Oehl F, Vierheilig H (2007) Mycorrhizal
characterization of the boojum tree Fouquieria
columnaris, an endemic ancient tree from the Baja California Peninsula,
Mexico. Trees - Structure and Function 21: 329-335
Scheffknecht S, St-Arnaud M, Khaosaad T, Steinkellner
S, Vierheilig H (2007) An altered root exudation pattern through
mycorrhization affecting microconidia germination of the highly specialized tomato
pathogen Fusarium
oxysporum
f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) is not tomato
specific but also occurs in Fol non-host plants. Can
J Bot 85: 347-351
Koschier E,
Khaosaad T, Vierheilig H (2007) Root
colonisation by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae and enhanced phosphorous levels in cucumber do not
affect host acceptance and development of
Frankliniella occidentali. J Plant
Interact 2: 11-15
Khaosaad T, Garcia-Garrido JM, Steinkellner S, Vierheilig H (2007) Take-all disease is
systemically reduced in roots of mycorrhizal barley plants. Soil Biol Biochem 39: 727–734
2006
Vierheilig
H (2006) Inoculation of root systems with arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi or pathogenic fungi. In: Luster J, Finlay R (eds) Handbook of
Methods used in Rhizosphere Research (COST 631) Publisher: Swiss Federal
Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf/Switzerland p. 147
Vierheilig
H (2006) Staining of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with
ink and vinegar. In: Luster J, Finlay R (eds) Handbook of Methods used in
Rhizosphere Research (COST 631) Publisher: Swiss Federal Research Institute
WSL, Birmensdorf/Switzerland p. 415
Steinkellner
S, Vierheilig H (2006) Microconidia
germination of Fusarium oxysporum in
root exudates. In: Luster J, Finlay R (eds)
Handbook of Methods used in Rhizosphere Research (COST 631) Publisher: Swiss
Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf/Switzerland p. 474
Vierheilig
H (2006) In vivo observation of arbuscular mycorrhizal
(AM) structures in intact living roots. In: Luster J, Finlay R (eds) Handbook
of Methods used in Rhizosphere Research (COST 631) Publisher: Swiss Federal
Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf/Switzerland p. 414
Vierheilig
H, Steinkellner S (2006) Collection of root exudates of
plants colonized and non-colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In:
Luster J, Finlay R (eds) Handbook of Methods used in Rhizosphere Research (COST
631) Publisher: Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf/Switzerland
p. 413
Khaosaad T, Vierheilig H, Nell N, Zitterl-Eglseer
K, Novak J (2006) Arbuscular mycorrhiza alter the concentration of essential
oils in oregano (Origanum sp.,
Lamiaceae) Mycorrhiza 16: 443-446
Catford JG Staehelin C, Larose G, Piché Y, Vierheilig H (2006) Systemically suppressed isoflavonoids and their stimulating effects on
nodulation and mycorrhization in alfalfa split-root systems. Plant Soil
285: 257-266
Scervino JM,
Scheffknecht S, Mammerler R,
Steinkellner S, Vierheilig H (2006)
Root exudates of mycorrhizal tomato plants exhibit a different effect on
microconidia germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici than root exudates from non-mycorrhizal
tomato
plants. Mycorrhiza 16: 365-370
Bashan Y, Vierheilig H, Salazar
BG, de-Bashan LE (2006) Primary colonization and breakdown of igneous rocks by endemic,
succulent elephant trees (Pachycormus discolor) of the deserts in Baja
California, Mexico. Naturwissenschaften 93: 344 – 347
2005
Vierheilig H, Schweiger P, Brundrett M
(2005) An overview of methods for the detection and
observation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in roots. Physiol Plantarum 125: 393-404
Meixner C, Ludwig-Müller J, Miersch O , Gresshoff P, Staehelin C, Vierheilig H (2005) Lack of mycorrhizal autoregulation and
phytohormonal changes in the supernodulating soybean mutant nts1007. Planta 222:
709-715
Scervino JM,
Vierheilig H, Bago B (2005) Host and non-host impact on the physiology of the
symbiosis. In: Root-Organ Cultures of Mycorrhizal Fungi, Eds. Declerck S,
Strullu S, Fortin A. Springer-Verlag,
Heidelberg, p.139-158
Scervino JM, Ponce MA,
Erra-Bassels R, Vierheilig H, Ocampo JA,
Godeas A (2005) Flavonoids exhibit
fungal species and genus specific effects on the presymbiotic growth of Gigaspora
and Glomus. Mycol Res
109: 789–794
Steinkellner S, Mammerler R, Vierheilig H (2005) Microconidia
germination of the tomato pathogen Fusarium
oxysporum in the presence of root exudates. J Plant Interact 1: 23-30
Scervino JM, Ponce
MA, Erra-Bassels R, Vierheilig
H, Ocampo JA,
Godeas A (2005) Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of tomato by Gigaspora and Glomus species in presence of roots flavonoids. J Plant Physiol 162: 625—633
2004
Vierheilig H (2004) Further root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in
already mycorrhizal plants is suppressed after a critical level of root
colonization. J Plant Physiol 161:
339-341
Vierheilig H (2004) Regulatory mechanisms
during the plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus interaction. Can J Bot 82: 1166-1176
2003
Vierheilig H, Lerat S, Piché Y (2003) Systemic inhibition of arbuscular mycorrhiza
development by root exudates of cucumber plants colonized by G. mosseae and comparison to non-host
effects. Mycorrhiza 13: 167-170
Lerat S, Lapointe L, Gutjahr S, Piché Y, Vierheilig H (2003) Carbon partitioning in a split-root system of
arbuscular mycorrhizal plants is fungal and plant species dependent. New Phytol 157: 589-595
Lerat S, Lapointe L, Piché Y,Vierheilig
H (2003) Variable carbon sink strength of different Glomus mosseae strains colonizing barley
roots. Can J Bot 81: 886-889
Herrera Medina MJ, Gagnon H, Piché Y, Ocampo JA, García Garrido JM,
Vierheilig H (2003) Root
colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is affected by the salicylic acid
content of the plant. Plant Sci 164: 993-998
Catford JG Staehelin C, Lerat S, Piché
Y, Vierheilig H (2003)
Suppression of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and nodulation in split-root
systems of alfalfa after pre-inoculation and treatment with Nod factors. J Exp Bot 54: 1481-1487
2002
Larose G, Chenevert R, Moutoglis
P, Gagné S, Piché Y, Vierheilig H
(2002) Flavonoid levels in roots of Medicago sativa are modulated by the
developmental stage of the symbiosis and the root colonizing arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungus. J Plant Physiol
159: 1329-1339
Ludwig-Müller J, Bennett RN,
Garcia-Garrido JM, Piché Y, Vierheilig
H (2002) Reduced arbuscular mycorrhizal root colonization in Tropaeolum majus and Carica papaya after jasmonic acid
application can not be attributed to increased glucosinolate levels. J Plant Physiol 159: 517-523
Vierheilig H, Piché Y (2002)
Signalling in arbuscular mycorrhiza: Facts and hypotheses. In: Flavonoids in
Cell Functions, Eds. Buslig B, and
Manthey J;
Juge C, Samson J, Bastien C, Vierheilig H, Piché Y (2002) Breaking
spore dormancy of the AM fungus Glomus
intraradices. Mycorrhiza 12:
37-42
Lerat S, Gauci R., Catford JG, Vierheilig H, Piché Y, Lapointe L
(2002)
Vierheilig
H, Bago B, Lerat S, Piché Y (2002) Shoot-produced,
light-dependent factors are partially involved in the expression of the
arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of AM host and non-host plants. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 165: 21-25
2001
Vierheilig
H, Alt-Hug M, Wiemken A, Boller T (2001) Hyphal in vitro growth of the arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae is
affected by chitinase, but not by ß-1,3-glucanase. Mycorrhiza 11: 279 282
Vierheilig
H, Knoblauch M, Juergensen K, van Bel A, Grundler FMW,
Piché Y (2001) Imaging arbuscular mycorrhizal structures in living roots of Nicotiana tabacum by light,
epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Can J Bot 79: 231-237
2000
Vierheilig
H, Maier W, Wyss U, Samson J, Strack D, Piché Y (2000)
Cyclohexenone derivative- and phosphate-levels in split-root systems and their
role in the systemic suppression of mycorrhization in precolonized barley
plants. J Plant Physiol 157: 593-599
Vierheilig
H, Bennett R, Kiddle G, Kaldorf M, Ludwig-Müller J (2000)
Differences in glucosinolate patterns and arbuscular mycorrhizal status of
glucosinolate-containing plant species. New
Phytol. 146:343-352
Mäder P, Vierheilig
H, Streitwolf-Engel R, Boller T, Frey B, Christie P, Wiemken A (2000)
Transport of 15N from a soil compartment separated by a
polytetrafluoroethylene membrane to plant roots via the hyphae of arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi. New Phytol 146:155-161
Vierheilig
H, Garcia-Garrido MJ, Wyss U, Piché Y (2000) Systemic
suppression of mycorrhizal colonization in barley roots already colonized by
AM-fungi. Soil Biol Biochem 32:589-595
Vierheilig
H, Gagnon H, Strack D, Maier W (2000) Accumulation of
cyclohexenone derivatives in barley, wheat and maize roots in response to
inoculation with different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhiza 9:291-293
1999
Pinior A, Wyss U,
Piché Y, Vierheilig H (1999)
Plants colonized by an AM-fungus regulate further root colonization by AM-fungi
through altered root exudation. Can J
Bot. 77: 891-897
Vierheilig
H, Böckenhoff A, Knoblauch M, Juge C, van Bel A, Piché
Y, Grundler FMW, Wyss U (1999) In vivo
observations of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae in roots by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Mycol Res 103: 311-314
1998
Vierheilig H, Coughlan A, Wyss U,
Piché Y (1998) Ink and vinegar, a simple staining technique for
arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi. Appl
Environ Microbiol 64: 5004-5007
Vierheilig H, Alt-Hug M,
Engel-Streitwolf R, Mäder P, Wiemken A (1998) Studies on the attractional
effect of root exudates upon hyphal growth of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus
in a soil compartment-membrane system. Plant
Soil 303: 137-144
Vierheilig H, Bago B, Albrecht C,
Poulin MJ, Piché Y (1998) Flavonoids and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. In:
Flavonoids in the Living System; Eds. Manthey J, and Buslig B; Plenum Press,
Vierheilig H, Piché Y (1998) A
modified procedure for staining arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in roots. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 161: 601-602
1996
Vierheilig H, Iseli B, Alt M,
Reikhel N, Wiemken A, Boller T (1996) Resistance of Urtica dioica to mycorrhizal colonization: a possible involvement
of Urtica dioica agglutinin. Plant Soil 183:131-136
Vierheilig H, Alt M, Gut-Rella M,
Lange J, Boller T, Wiemken A (1996) Colonization of tobacco constitutively
expressing pathogenesis-related proteins by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungi In: Azcon-Aguilar C., Barea J.M. (eds.), Mycorrhizas in integrated
systems: From genes to plant development. European
Commission.
Vierheilig H, Piché Y (1996)
Grafts between peas forming arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (Myc+) and pea
mutants resistant to AM fungi (Myc-) show the same colonization characteristics
as ungrafted plants. J Plant Physiol
147:762-764
Bago B, Vierheilig H, Piché Y, Azcon C (1996) Nitrate depletion and pH
changes induced by the extraradical mycelium of the arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungus Glomus intraradices grown in monoxenic culture. New Phytol 133:273-280
Bago B, Chamberland H, Goulet A, Vierheilig H, Lafontaine JG, Piché Y
(1996) Effect of Nikkomycin Z, a chitin-synthase inhibitor, on hyphal growth
and cell wall structure of two arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi. Protoplasma 192:80-92
1995
Balaji B, Poulin M, Vierheilig H, Piché Y (1995) Responses
of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Gigaspora
margarita, to exudates and volatiles from the Ri T-DNA-transformed roots of
nonmycorrhizal and mycorrhizal mutants of Pisum
sativum Sparkle. Exp Mycol
19:275-283
Vierheilig H, Alt M, Mäder P, Boller T, Wiemken A (1995)
Spreading of Glomus mosseae, a
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, across the rhizosphere of host and
non-host plants. Soil Biol Biochem
27:1113-1115
Vierheilig H, Alt M., Lange J,
Gut-Rella M, Wiemken A, Boller T (1995) Colonization of transgenic tobacco constitutively
expressing pathogenesis-related proteins by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungus Glomus mosseae. Appl Environ Microbiol 61:3031-3034
Vierheilig
H, Piché Y (1995) Facteurs biochimiques potentiellment
impliqués dans les interactions entre les champignons endomycorhiziens et leurs
plantes non-hôtes. In: La symbiose mycorhizenne (eds.
Fortin JA, Charest C, and Piché Y) Editions
Orbis Publishing, Frelighsburg,
Xie ZP, Staehelin C, Vierheilig H, Wiemken A, Jabbouri S,
Broughton WJ, Voegeli-Lange R, Boller T (1995) Rhizobial nodulation factors
stimulate mycorrhizal colonization of nodulating and nonnodulating soybeans. Plant Physiol 108:1519-1525
1994
Vierheilig H, Alt M, Mohr U,
Boller T, Wiemken A (1994) Ethylene biosynthesis and activities of chitinase
and ß-1,3-glucanase in the roots of host and non-host plants of
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi after inoculation with Glomus mosseae. J Plant Physiol 143:337-343
1993
Vierheilig H, Alt M, Neuhaus JM,
Boller T, Wiemken A (1993) Colonization of transgenic Nicotiana sylvestris plants,
expressing different forms of Nicotiana
tabacum chitinase, by the root pathogen Rhizoctonia
solani and by the mycorrhizal symbiont Glomus
mosseae. MPMI 6:261-264
Mäder P, Vierheilig H, Alt M, Wiemken A (1993) Boundaries between soil
compartments formed by microporous hydrophobic membranes (GORE-TEX) can be
crossed by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi but not by ions in the soil
solution. Plant Soil 152:201-206
1991
Vierheilig H, Ocampo JA (1991)
Susceptibility and effectiveness of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in wheat
cultivars under different growing conditions. Biol Fert Soil 11:290-294
Vierheilig H, Ocampo JA (1991)
Receptivity of various wheat cultivars to infection by VA-mycorrhizal fungi as
influenced by inoculum potential and the relation of VAM effectiveness to
succinic dehydrogenase activity of the mycelium in the roots. Plant Soil 133:291-296.
1990
Vierheilig H, Ocampo JA (1990)
Effect of isothiocyanates on germination of spores of G. mosseae. Soil Biol
Biochem 22:1161-1162
Vierheilig H, Ocampo JA (1990)
Role of root extract and volatile substances of non-host plants on
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal spore germination. Symbiosis 9:199-202
1989
Vierheilig H, Ocampo JA (1989)
Relationship between SDH-activity and VA-mycorrhizal infection. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment
29:439-442
El-Atrach F, Vierheilig H, Ocampo JA (1989) Influence of non-host plants on
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection of host plants and on spore
germination. Soil Biol Biochem 21:161-163
(last update 25 th of November, 2007)