Newswise —
Some fungi are important for the survival of forest trees, and one example is ectomycorrhizal fungi. These fungi are often found on pine, oak, and birch trees, and they form a protective covering around the roots of these trees. The mycelial body of these fungi then grows into extensive underground networks that absorb essential nutrients from the soil and transfer them to the trees. This process is crucial for the ecological sustenance of forest trees.
Scientists have been exploring the idea that mycelial networks, formed by fungi, may facilitate electrical signal transfer both between individual mushrooms and across entire forests. Fungi are believed to generate electrical signals in response to various external factors and use these signals to communicate with each other, potentially coordinating growth and other behaviors. Researchers have also suggested that these signals may assist in the transfer of nutrients from fungi to plants and trees.
Still, current scientific evidence remains sparse. Moreover, many studies have been limited to the laboratory, failing to recreate what happens in the wild.
A group of scientists studied small mushrooms called Laccaria bicolor in a forest. They attached electrodes to six mushrooms and found that the mushrooms produced more electrical signals after it rained.
The scientists studied small mushrooms called Laccaria bicolor by attaching electrodes to six of them. They found that the mushrooms had low electrical signals at first, but after rainfall, the signals increased to over 100 mV. Yu Fukasawa, who led the project with Takayuki Takehi, Daisuke Akai, and Masayuki Ushio, attributed the increase in signals to the presence of rain.
The researchers found a connection between the fluctuation in electrical signals and the amount of rain and temperature. They concluded that the signals were moving between the mushrooms, and that this movement was stronger between mushrooms that were close together. They also found that the signals had a specific direction.
"Our results confirm the need for further studies on fungal electrical potentials under a true ecological context," adds Fukasawa.
Details of their research were reported in the journal Fungal Ecology on March 14, 2023.
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