Compounds that disrupt these systems are central to Callaway’s “novel weapons” hypothesis, which may explain the success of invasive producers of glucosinolates (“gluco-SIN-oh-lates”). The Simard lab has estimated flux through these systems as about 6 percent of Pseudotsuga menziesii’s (“pseudo-TSOO-guh MEN-zees-ee-eye’s”) total uptake using the standard method of comparing isotope data with and without a mesh in place. The formation of these systems is directed by gradients of lactones named for parasites in the genus Striga. Individuals isolated from VOCs (“V-O-C’s”) by plastic bags can still eavesdrop on allelochemicals (“uh-LEEL-oh-chemicals”) via these systems, which share a common signaling pathway with rhizobia (“rye-ZO-bee-uh”) nodules. Non-photosynthetic plants can cheat these systems by stealing carbon contributed by other plants. For 10 points, name this “wood-wide web” formed from mutualistic relationships between fungi and plants. ■END■
ANSWER: mycorrhizae (“my-co-RYE-zuh”) [or (common) mycorrhizal networks; accept ectomycorrhizal fungi or endomycorrhizal fungi or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; prompt on symbiosis, symbioses, symbiotic, or symbionts; prompt on rhizosphere or roots or soil microbiomes until “rhizobia” is read; prompt on mutualism or mutualistic until “mutualistic” is read; prompt on fungi or fungal or fungal hyphae until “fungi” is read]
<Biology>
= Average correct buzz position