Mycorrhizal Research Articles

The role of vermiwash and mycorrhiza in enhancing organic head lettuce production

ABSTRACT The study aimed to enhance the organic production of head lettuce using vermiwash and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), both individually and in combination, in the presence of compost. These treatments were evaluated for their effects on the growth, yield, quality and mineral content of head lettuce, compared to a control treatment of compost only. The results showed that all treatments involving vermiwash and AMF, either individually or together, significantly improved growth, yield and quality over compost alone. The combination of vermiwash and AMF with compost yielded the best results across all measured parameters. This study recommends using vermiwash and AMF together with compost as an effective approach to improving organic head lettuce production, which will increase profits for organic lettuce growers. HIGHLIGHTS Vermiwash and AMF combined with compost significantly enhanced head lettuce growth and yield. The application of vermiwash and AMF led to better quality and mineral content in lettuce compared to compost-only treatment. The combination of vermiwash and AMF together outperformed their individual applications, showing a synergistic effect. The use of organic treatments (compost, vermiwash and AMF) aligns with sustainable agricultural practices. This study advocates for the combined use of vermiwash and AMF with compost to optimise organic head lettuce production.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) mediated biofortification of micronutrients, protein characteristics, and γ-aminobutyric acid in sorghum grown on vertisols in the central clay plains of Sudan

ABSTRACT Hidden hunger and micronutrient deficiencies are critical global challenges, particularly in developing nations. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance plant nutrient uptake and may provide a sustainable solution. This study evaluated the impact of locally sourced AMF inocula on the nutritional quality of four sorghum cultivars grown on vertisols in Sudan’s central clay plains. A split-plot field trial at two locations assessed AMF inoculation (main plot factor) and sorghum cultivars (sub-plot factor) across three replicates. AMF inoculation significantly improved grain crude protein (10.5% to 11.9%), in-vitro protein digestibility (60.8 to 69.9 g/100 g), protein solubility (4.0 to 4.9 g/100 g), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content (0.6 to 2.1 mg/g). Total and bioavailable iron and zinc levels in AMF-treated grains (40.6% and 40.3%, respectively) exceeded those in non-treated grains (36.3% and 35.8%, respectively). Phytate content, an anti-nutrient, decreased significantly (339.9 to 238.2 mg/100 g) with AMF, showing an inverse relationship with micronutrient levels. Partial least squares regression analysis identified cultivar P954063 with AMF inoculation at Medani as optimal for enhancing grain nutritional quality. These findings highlight the potential of locally produced AMF inoculum to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in Sudan and similar regions.

Organic Amendments Enhance Peanut Nodulation by Influencing Interactions Between Rhizobia and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Peanut Rhizosphere

The primary mechanism through which organic amendments enhance the nodulation ability of leguminous crops involves increasing the content of available phosphorus (AP) in the soil. Despite this, the role of plant rhizosphere microbial communities has not been fully appreciated. This study investigated the impact of different fertilization treatments, including a no-fertilizer control group (CK), a chemical nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium treatment group (NPK), and a group treated with both organic manure and chemical NPK (NPKM), on the structure of microbial communities in the peanut rhizosphere and their nodulation ability using high-throughput sequencing technology, co-occurrence network analysis, and structural equation modeling. The peanut nodule count increased significantly on organic manure plus NPK application, ranging from 2.26 to 2.50 times that of the CK treatment group. Under NPKM treatment, the diversity of bacterial and rhizobial communities in the peanut rhizosphere significantly improved. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that the peanut rhizosphere microbial co-occurrence network under NPKM treatment was more complex. Additionally, the ecological importance of rhizobial groups within the network significantly increased. Further analysis of the interaction patterns between different microbial groups revealed that under NPKM treatment, the positive correlation ratio between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia (RPAR) was significantly higher than that in the CK and NPK treatment groups. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis demonstrated that the RPAR significantly enhanced peanut nodulation ability, an effect that was positively modulated by AP. In summary, this study highlights the potential key role of the synergistic action between rhizobia and AMF in influencing the nodulation process of leguminous plants and provides a scientific basis for the effective management of plant microbial communities.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi travel the world with harvested underground crops.

In recent years, the dispersal of potentially invasive plants, animals, and pathogens via international trading routes for fresh agricultural goods has been the subject of intensive research and risk assessment. Comparatively little is known about the potential impact of global food trade on the spreading of symbiotic soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The present study thus assessed whether internationally traded underground crop harvest products carry AM fungal propagules. Twenty batches of tubers, corms or bulbs originating from eight different countries were sampled and used to inoculate Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench plants grown in a heat-sterilized, sandy dune soil from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Results revealed that most of the underground crop harvest products contained AM fungal propagules able to establish AM symbioses in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. Though it is likely that most AM fungal propagules attached to harvest products will ultimately be eliminated in the waste or sewage stream, it is well possible that a certain portion would find its way into agricultural or natural ecosystems, e.g., via organic waste disposal or use of kitchen greywater for irrigation. Given the large volumes of underground crops traded worldwide, their impact on AM fungal dispersal and distribution deserves further investigation and assessment of associated risks of adulteration of soil microbial communities.

Is arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal addition beneficial to potato systems? A meta-analysis

The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has been reported to confer multiple agronomic benefits to crop plants including cereals, vegetables, and fruit trees, as well as to improve soil structure and health. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate whether AM fungal addition enhances potato yield. We further examined whether several experimental conditions (type of experiment, inoculation method, and source of AM fungi) and potato cultivar may explain the outcomes. We calculated the effect sizes of seven plant parameters by including a total of 106 independent pot and field experimental studies from 37 peer reviewed publications. Our results show that the addition of AM fungi has an overall positive effect on all potato plant parameters included in our analyses except for aboveground plant biomass. Potato cultivar was the main significant moderator explaining our findings, with some cultivars benefiting more from AM fungal presence than others. Our findings agree with several other global meta-analyses reporting positive effects of AM fungi on other important crops and highlights the potential application of these fungal symbionts in potato agro-ecosystems.

Insects and mycorrhizal fungi influence maternal seed provisioning in Senecio vulgaris

Abstract The performance of plants in any one generation can be influenced not just by the prevailing biotic and abiotic factors, but also by those factors experienced by the parental generation. These maternal effects have been recorded in an array of plant species, but most studies tend to focus on abiotic factors over two generations. Here we show that maternal effects in the annual forb Senecio vulgaris may be influenced by beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and insect herbivory over four successive generations. These effects were very much determined by seed provisioning, wherein C:N:P ratios were altered by both fungi and aphids. There was little evidence of epigenetic changes induced by the fungi or insects, instead the driving forces seemed to be allocation of N and P to the seeds. However, changes in seed chemistry were not cumulative over generations, often decreases in seed nutrient content were followed by recovery in subsequent generations. The changes in seed stoichiometry can have important consequences for viability, germination and subsequent seedling growth rates. We conclude that studies of maternal effects need to be conducted over multiple generations, and also need to be multifactorial, involving variation in abiotic factors such as water and nutrients, combined with biotic factors.

Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Soil Physicochemical Parameters in Forest Species of the Abras de Mantequilla Wetland, Ecuador

Wetlands worldwide face increasing challenges due to human activities such as water extraction, deforestation, and overfishing. These ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity, water retention, and purification. In Ecuador, the “Abras de Mantequilla” wetland exemplifies these pressures. It serves as a vital site for studying the interactions between soil fertility and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in forest ecosystems. The study focused on the soil fertility, particularly in relation to AMF in "Noah Morán" secondary forest within the Abras de Mantequilla wetland. The key role of AMF in improving soil fertility was highlighted. Soil samples were collected from the root zone of four forest tree species i.e., Guazuma ulmifolia, Albizia guachapele, Eugenia pustulescens, Cecropia peltate. The four investigated soil samples had marginal differences in the soil physicochemical properties. Number of AMF species were found in the four soils in the range of 16 to 39; Number of por Several AMF lowest por the lowest (16) and highest (39) AMF species were found in E. pustulescens and A. guachapele soils, respectively. AMF species ‘Akent’ was the most dominant (abundance #16) AMF species found in the soils of C. peltate. The ranges of Shannon_H and Simpson_1-D values were found to be 1.78-1.9 and 0.79-0.85, respectively. These insights are important to understanding soil-plant-microorganism interactions in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the Abras de Mantequilla wetland.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect root morphology locally but not systemically through altering nutrient- and phytohormone-related gene expressions at low soil P level

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect root morphology locally but not systemically through altering nutrient- and phytohormone-related gene expressions at low soil P level

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community in coffee cultivation under different agroforestry management systems in the Maciço de Baturité region, Brazil

ABSTRACT Agroforestry systems (AFS) have been a promising alternative to mitigate the impacts of intensive use of agricultural inputs in coffee plantations and preserve the soil microbiota. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of coffee AFSs on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community, aiming to optimize or validate an agroecological and sustainable system for coffee cultivation in a conservation area located in the Maciço de Baturité region, Ceará state, Brazil. Soil and root samples were obtained in an AFS with coffee cultivated in the Natural/Wild system, an AFS undergoing conversion to the syntropic system, and a conventional AFS. Spore counting, mycorrhizal colonization percentage, and AMF sequencing using the Illumina Miseq platform after DNA extraction and amplification were performed on the samples. Syntropic AFS and conventional AFS showed the highest values of mycorrhizal colonization. However, no differences were observed in the number of glomerospores and beta diversity data among the three AFSs. Around 80 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified in the AFSs. Syntropic AFS had a higher number of ASVs than the other AFSs. These results show that agroecosystem management can influence AMF communities. Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae were the most abundant AMF families in the AFSs.

Intraspecies variation in mycorrhizal response of Medicago sativa to Rhizophagus irregularis under abiotic stress.

Plant partnerships with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improve plant resilience to stress by increasing the plant's access to and uptake of essential nutrients and water, as well as regulating the plant's stress response. The magnitude and direction of AMF effects during the relationship depend on multiple factors including plant identity and environmental context. To investigate how AMF influence plant responses to environmental stresses, we assessed the effects of drought and salinity on growth, final biomass, and reproduction of nine alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cultivars inoculated with Rhizophagus irregularis or grown alone. In absence of stress, the fungus increased nutrient content, but caused declines in biomass through a reduction in initial growth that was not overcome by a later growth spurt. Mycorrhizal fungus inoculation also magnified stress effects on growth in most scenarios, but this depended on the stress type and cultivar. For salinity, this stress increase in inoculated plants was mediated by increased salt accumulation. Flowering of each cultivar was affected by both inoculation and stress type, albeit erratically, whereas seed production was only affected by inoculation when drought stressed. We found no clear pattern distinguishing differences in mycorrhizal fungus effects on stress among cultivars; however, our results show that mycorrhizal fungus effects on plant stress responses are contingent on the plant performance metric and stress type, highlighting the complexity of responses to mycorrhizas.

Mitigating Chili Plant Wilt: Synergy of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Silver Nanoparticles

Background/Objective. The chilaca pepper (Capsicum annuum) is significantly impacted by the attack of the oomycete Phytophthora capsici, which causes chili wilt. Current methods for controlling this disease have been inefficient. Therefore, the search for more environmentally friendly alternatives is of great importance. In pursuit of this objective, we assessed the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to try to reduce or postpone chili pepper wilt. Materials and Methods. Growth parameters were measured in inoculated and non-inoculated chili pepper plants with AMF from a commercil consortium TM-73 (Biotecnología Microbiana) and the protective effects of AMF and AgNPs (NanoID®) against P. capsici as evaluated using a severity scale for wilt symptoms. Plant response to pathogen infection was assessed by measuring the activities of antioxidant enzymes: PER, SOD, CAT and H2O2. Results. The results indicated that AMF application improved the growth parameters of C. annuum, while the plant-pathogen interaction induced an antioxidant enzymatic response. AMF maintained wilt symptoms at or below 80%, preventing plant death. Meanwhile, AgNPs (50ppm) delayed plant mortality compared to the control treatment. Conclusion. The combined use of AMF and AgNPs offer options for future research in the disease management for chili peppers.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as a Salt Bioaccumulation Mechanism for the Establishment of a Neotropical Halophytic Fern in Saline Soils.

Acrostichum aureum is a halophytic pantropical invasive fern growing in mangroves and swamps. Its association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has been reported in Asia. AMF and their symbiosis (AM) commonly colonise the absorption organs of terrestrial plants worldwide. Furthermore, AMF/AM are well known for their capacity to bioaccumulate toxic elements and to alleviate biotic and abiotic stress (e.g., salinity stress) in their hosts. However, the mechanisms underlying AMF involvement in the halophytism of A. aureum and the structures where NaCl accumulates remain unknown. This study shows that A. aureum forms AM in margins of natural thermal ponds in Neotropical wetlands. All mature sporophytes were colonised by AMF, with high percentages for root length (ca. 57%), arbuscules (23), and hyphae (25) and low values for vesicles (2%). In A. aureum-AMF symbiosis, NaCl accumulated in AMF vesicles, and CaSO4 precipitated in colonised roots. Therefore, AM can contribute to the halophytic nature of this fern, allowing it to thrive in saline and thermal environments by capturing NaCl from fern tissues, compartmentalising it inside its vesicles, and precipitating CaSO4.

The Effectiveness of Seed Biopriming with Mycorrhiza Fungi as an Effort to Improve the Quality of Germination and Curly Chili Production (Capsicum annum)

The Effectiveness of Seed Biopriming with Mycorrhiza Fungi as an Effort to Improve the Quality of Germination and Curly Chili Production (Capsicum annum)

Evidence of Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Arid and Semi-arid Steppe Plants

Background: The soils of arid regions, especially steppe areas, are generally poor. Despite these challenging conditions, steppe plants manage to establish and adapt. The mycorrhizal symbiotic association has a crucial role in the nutrition and stress resistance of these plants. The present research aims to identify mycorrhizal fungi in three perennial plants native to the Algerian steppe: Aristida pungens, Retama raetam and Astragalus armatus. Methods: We took soil samples under and outside vegetation, along with corresponding roots for each plant tested and covering an air of 206 km. Result: The results varied among the three species: the rhizospheric soil under A. Pungenshad a moisture content of 5.28%, an organic matter content of 1.38%, a glomalin level of 2.83 mg/g of soil and the number of spores of 461.66 spores per 100 g of soil. In addition, soil under R. raetam gave more information on pH (8.13) and an EC of 0.12 ms/cm. and for A. armatus, its abundance was linked to a CaCO3 level of 9.79%. We recorded a positive correlation of glomalin with spore count and soil moisture. All three plants studied exhibited a high rate of mycorrhization exceeding 70%, with A. Armatushaving the highest averages

The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Their Associated Bacteria in Promoting Crops’ Performance: An Applicative Perspective

The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Their Associated Bacteria in Promoting Crops’ Performance: An Applicative Perspective

Soil Polychlorinated Biphenyl Dissipation and Mung Bean Production Influenced by Ryegrass, Nanoscale Zero‐Valent Iron and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus

ABSTRACTA 9‐week greenhouse pot experiment was carried out to study polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) dissipation and mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) growth in a PCB‐contaminated soil. Besides the control (i.e., monoculture of mung bean), four treatments were tested: intercropping with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) (IL) and IL treated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Funneliformis caledonium (+M), nanoscale zero‐valent iron (nZVI) (+N), and both (+NM). Compared with the control, the interspecific competition on soil nutrients besides growth space upon IL tended to decrease the seed yield of mung bean, since the P acquisition by ryegrass, the dominant species, was about 17 times that by mung bean. On the one hand, +N significantly enhanced the dissipation of homologs with three or more chlorine atoms and total PCBs in the soil, consuming a quantity of H+ and increasing soil pH. On the other hand, +N negatively influenced soil available P concentration, mycorrhizal colonization, mung bean seed yield, and ryegrass shoot biomass. In contrast, +M significantly increased mycorrhizal colonization of both plants and ALP activity of the soil, tended to improve plant total P acquisition, and even powerfully enhanced the dissipation of highly chlorinated homologs. In the case of +N, +M again significantly accelerated mycorrhization of both plants and tended to elevate ALP activity of the soil, but the adsorption of soil available P by nZVI debilitated the P benefit from AM fungi. However, +M still tended to improve not only ryegrass shoot biomass but also mung bean seed yield, suggesting that AM fungus had induced detoxification of both host plants against nZVI. In addition, the phytoremediation efficiency of ryegrass associated with AM fungi, which was greatly inhibited by the amendment of nZVI, was reactivated by the newly inoculated AM fungus. These results indicated that when intercropping of edible crops with remedial plants, nZVI and AM fungus played absolutely differential roles during the remediation of PCB‐contaminated soils.

Evaluating the stability of nursery-established arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal associations in apple rootstocks.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are promoted as commercial bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture. Little is known, however, about the survival of AMF inoculants in soil and their impacts on native or pre-established AMF communities in root tissue. The current study was designed to assess the stability of pre-existing/nursery-derived AMF in apple rootstocks after being planted into soil containing a known community of AMF with a limited number of species. Root-associated endophytic communities (bacteria and fungi) are known to differ depending on apple rootstock genotype. Thus, an additional aim of this study was to explore the effect of apple rootstock genotype on AMF community structure. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in which a variety of apple rootstock genotypes (G.890, G.935, M.26, and M.7) were inoculated with a commercially available, multi-species AMF consortium. Nursery-derived AMF communities were sequenced, and changes to AMF community structure following cultivation in pasteurized soil (inoculated and non-inoculated) were assessed using a Glomeromycota-specific phylogenetic tree, which included 91 different AMF species from 24 genera. Results show that inoculant colonization potential was limited and that apple rootstocks serve as a significant source of inoculum from the nursery where they are produced. Rootstocks established relationships with introduced AMF in a genotype-specific manner. Regardless of colonization success, however, the inoculant caused alterations to the resident AMF communities of both Geneva and Malling rootstocks, particularly low abundance taxa. In addition, phylogeny-based analysis revealed a unique, well-supported clade of unknown taxonomy, highlighting the importance of using phylogenetic-based classification for accurate characterization of AMF communities.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the impacts of introduced AMF on residential AMF communities is essential to improving plant productivity in nursery and orchard systems. In general, there is a dearth of data on the interactions of commercial AMF inoculants with pre-established AMF communities living in symbiosis with the host plant. The interplay between apple rootstock genotype and the endophytic root microbiome is also an area where more research is needed. This study demonstrates the potential for nursery-established AMF associations to be maintained when transplanted into the field. In addition to providing insight into rootstock/AMF associations, our study calls attention to the current issues attendant with relying on web-based databases for determining AMF identity. The use of phylogenetic tools represents one possible solution and may be of value to industry practitioners in terms of improving product composition and consistency.

Enhancing chickpea growth through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculation: facilitating nutrient uptake and shifting potential pathogenic fungal communities.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are the most widespread plant symbionts associated with plant roots, and theyperform numerous functions that contribute to plants' health and physiology. However, there are many knowledge gaps in how the interactions between AMF and root mycobiomes influence the performance of the host plants. To this end, we inoculated a local chickpea cultivar grown in agricultural soil under semi-controlled conditions with Rhizophagus irregularis. In addition to examining mycorrhizal colonization, plant biomass, and mineral nutrition, we sequenced the ITS region of the rDNA to assess the chickpea mycobiome and identify key fungal taxa potentially responding to R. irregularis inoculation. Our results showed that inoculation had a positive effect on chickpea biomass and mineral nutrition, especially the total aboveground phosphorus, potassium and sodium contents. Fusarium, Sporomia, Alternaria, and unknown Pleosporales were the most abundant taxa in the roots, while Stachybotris, Penicillum, Fusarium, Ascobolus, an unknown Pleosporales and Acrophialophora were the most abundant in the rhizosphere. Among the ASVs that either were enriched or depleted in the rhizosphere and roots are potential plant pathogens from the genera Didymella, Fusarium, Neocosmospora, and Stagonosporopsis. This study highlights the relevance of AMF inoculation not only for enhancing chickpea growth and mineral nutrition in semi-arid conditions but also for influencing the composition of the plants' fungal community which contributes to improved plant performance and resilience against biotic and abiotic stress.

Impact of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species on arsenic tolerance and accumulation in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

BackgroundArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can regulate metal(loid) tolerance in plants and their capacity for phytoremediation. These effects can vary depending on the host plant and the AMF species. The impact of different AMF species on the ability of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) for arsenic (As) phytoremediation is still largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of two AMF species, Rhizophagus irregularis, and Funneliformis mosseae, on the tolerance and accumulation of As in safflower in soils spiked with varying arsenate concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1).ResultsThe results indicated that both AMF species established effective symbiotic relationships with safflower. However, plants inoculated with R. irregularis exhibited higher mycorrhizal dependency and root colonization, especially under 100 mg kg−1 As. Both AMF species significantly improved plant growth parameters, chlorophyll content, and phosphorus (P) nutrition, which resulted in increased P/As ratio and enhanced tolerance index in safflower plants. In addition, AMF inoculation reduced As-induced lipid peroxidation by enhancing catalase and peroxidase activity in leaves and roots. While the mycorrhizal symbiosis didn’t affect As availability in soils, it significantly reduced shoot As concentration and the translocation factor under all As levels. Furthermore, mycorrhizal inoculation, especially with R. irregularis, increased As concentration and modified-bioconcentration factor in the roots and enhanced total As uptake per plant.ConclusionsBased on the results and multivariate analyses, both AMF species, particularly R. irregularis, enhanced safflower's As tolerance by retaining As in roots, improving phosphorus nutrition, and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, showcasing their potential to enhance phytostabilization in safflower plants.

Complementary effects of beneficial and non‐beneficial mycorrhizal fungi on root phosphatase activity: A mycorrhizal “White Album” effect

Abstract Mycorrhizal fungi are diverse, with strains differing in the magnitude and types of benefits provided to their hosts. In mixture, mycorrhizal strains that have complementary functions could provide their hosts with greater benefits than any constituent strain in isolation. Conversely, mycorrhizal strains could also interfere with one another, competing for host resources, providing less benefits than the most beneficial strain. The actual, realized effects are likely a composite of these complementary and competitive effects. Spatial structure in the root system may allow plants to benefit from complementary benefits while reducing competition among mycorrhizal strains. I tested the role of spatial structure using a species of plant from the family Podocarpaceae, which host arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inside both finely separated nodules and longer, contiguous sections of fine root. In root nodules, co‐inoculation with both growth‐promoting and non‐growth‐promoting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi resulted in complementary increases in aggregate root/fungal phosphatase activity. This complementary effect was not present in longer, contiguous sections of fine root or in either root type with P‐fertilization. I dub this interaction a ‘White Album effect’, a reference to the Beatles' best‐selling album, where complementary effects of single artists were only revealed when individual conflicts were avoided by separating band members and synthesizing their contributions in post‐production. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.