Interkingdom Three-Way Synergy Modulating Adaptation and Secondary Metabolites

Abstract

Mutualistic complexities in nature represent an inherent part of adaptation. Interkingdom interactions among organisms helped them to survive against biotic and abiotic stress. Although mutualistic associations have been commonly observed among plants-fungi and plant-virus but the concept of tripartite association involving plants-fungus-virus has not been explored so far. The literature review depicted the presence of interactions between plants and the fungus, in which fungal endophytes/AMF aid in plant adaptation. In the case of plant-virus interactions, several viruses aid in modulating the secondary metabolites. The associated mutualistic interactions among organisms complement their survival in nature.

Keywords: Mutualistic associations; Secondary metabolites; Symbiosis; Three-way symbiosis