Recently, Kariman et al. (2018) introduced a new term in the scientific literature, “feremycorrhizal” fungus, which refers to a particular rhizosphere-colonizing fungus, Austroboletus occidentalis, that stimulates plant growth. We found this term to be unnecessary and confusing due to the myriad rhizosphere-colonizing fungi that also are capable of plant growth promotion and are referred to simply as plant growth promoting rhizosphere fungi (Chanway et al. 2023). In response to our argument, Kariman et al. (2023) suggest that the term “feremycorrhiza” is a clear and correct term because the fungal partner has mycorrhizal traits and lineage. Specifically, they argue that this term is well suited for this symbiosis because: (1) the Australian native fungus A. occidentalis phylogenetically belongs to an ectomycorrhizal (ECM) lineage, (2) A. occidentalis possesses several established hallmarks of the ECM symbiosis, and (3) A. occidentalis does not enter roots and hence does not form any interface structures in the root. Therefore, it is not a fully developed mycorrhiza structurally; it is a ‘nearly’ mycorrhiza (with mycorrhiza-like effects on plant growth and nutrition).

While we focused on the old English definition of the term “fere”, meaning “companion” in our initial argument (Chanway et al., 2023), Kariman et al. (2023) justify their position by focusing on the Latin root of the term “fere”, meaning “nearly”. Regardless of whether the Latin or the old English definition of “fere” is used, neither definition makes sense to use when describing the fungus in question, A. occidentalis (Kariman et al. 2014). We have previously presented arguments why the old English definition “companion” is inappropriate (Chanway et al. 2023), and we argue that using the Latin root is equally meaningless rendering the rationale used by Kariman et al. (2023) invalid. To illustrate this point, consider the re-classification of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes (Young et al. 2001). Both species have now been assigned to the genus Rhizobium: R. radiobacter for A. tumefaciens and R. rhizogenes for A. rhizogenes (Young et al. 2001). Both of these species infect plants as does Rhizobium and are phylogenetically related to root nodulating Rhizobium species, but they are plant pathogens (Young et al. 2001). Karimam et al. (2023) argue that feremycorrhiza, meaning “nearly mycorrhiza”, is an appropriate term in part due to the phylogenetic relationship between A. occidentalis and an ectomycorrhizal lineage. Using this logic, Rhizobium radiobacter should be called a fere root nodule forming bacterium which, of course, it isn’t. Phylogenetic relationships are useful to discern evolutionary relationships, but such relationships are clearly not useful from the perspective of microbial function at the species level.

Kariman et al. (2023) also indicate that the purported feremycorrhizal fungus, A. occidentalis, possesses several established hallmarks of the ECM symbiosis, though there are no reports of this fungus being capable of entering into a true mycorrhizal relationship with any plant. Similarly, R. radiobacter and R. rhizogenes possess several established hallmarks of the genus Rhizobium that are involved in the root nodule symbiosis. Does this mean that these plant pathogens are fere = nearly root nodule bacteria? Absolutely not.

Finally, Kariman et al. (2023) argue that the purported feremycorrhizal fungus, A. occidentalis, is not a fully developed mycorrhiza structurally; it is a ‘nearly’ mycorrhiza (with mycorrhiza-like effects on plant growth and nutrition) (Kariman et al. 2018). This argument is also spurious, as we have previously argued (Chanway et al. 2023), because many common soil fungi, for example members of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Trichoderma (references in Chanway et al. 2023) as well as Piriformospora (Gill et al. 2016), stimulate plant growth through mechanisms similar to those described for A. occidentalis. Does this mean that all rhizosphere inhabiting fungi that stimulate plant growth are feremycorrhizal fungi as well? We think not and continue to call for the elimination of the confusing and erroneous term “fere” when describing plant growth promoting fungi and other plant beneficial microorganisms that inhabit the rhizosphere, rhizoplane or root interior.