Task: Answer Verification
Input (English): Question: Does an aboveground pathogen inhibit belowground rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Phaseolus vulgaris?
Answer: We demonstrate that aboveground fungal pathogens can affect belowground mutualism with two very different types of microbial symbionts-rhizobia and AMF. Our results suggest that systemically induced PPO activity is functionally involved in this above-belowground interaction. We predict that the top-down effects we show here can drastically impact plant performance in soils with limited nutrients and water; abiotic stress conditions usually mitigated by microbial belowground mutualists.
Output (English): yes