Table_1_Efficiently recording and processing data from arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization assays using AMScorer and AMReader.xlsx

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi engage with land plants in a widespread, mutualistic endosymbiosis which provides their hosts with increased access to nutrients and enhanced biotic and abiotic stress resistance. The potential for reducing fertiliser use and improving crop resilience has resulted in rapidly increasing scientific interest. Microscopic quantification of the level of AM colonization is of fundamental importance to this research, however the methods for recording and processing these data are time-consuming and tedious. In order to streamline these processes, we have developed AMScorer, an easy-to-use Excel spreadsheet, which enables the user to record data rapidly during from microscopy-based assays, and instantly performs the subsequent data processing steps. In our hands, AMScorer has more than halved the time required for data collection compared to paper-based methods. Subsequently, we developed AMReader, a user-friendly R package, which enables easy visualization and statistical analyses of data from AMScorer. These tools require only limited skills in Excel and R, and can accelerate research into AM symbioses, help researchers with variable resources to conduct research, and facilitate the storage and sharing of data from AM colonization assays. They are available for download at https://github.com/EJarrattBarnham/AMReader, along with an extensive user manual.

丛枝菌根（Arbuscular mycorrhizal, AM）真菌与陆生植物形成广泛分布的互利内共生关系，可为宿主提升养分获取效率，并增强其对生物与非生物胁迫的抵抗能力。该类真菌具备减少化肥施用、提升作物抗逆性的潜力，因此正受到科学界日益增长的研究关注。对丛枝菌根定殖水平开展显微镜定量检测是该研究的核心环节，但现有数据记录与处理方法既耗时又繁琐。为简化该流程，我们开发了AMScorer——一款易用的Excel表格工具，可支持使用者在基于显微镜的检测实验中快速记录数据，并即时完成后续的数据处理步骤。经实测，与纸质记录方法相比，AMScorer可将数据采集耗时缩短一半以上。后续我们又开发了AMReader——一款易用的R包，可便捷实现AMScorer产出数据的可视化与统计分析。这两款工具仅需使用者掌握基础的Excel与R操作技能，可加速丛枝菌根共生研究进程，帮助不同资源条件的研究人员开展工作，并便于丛枝菌根定殖检测实验数据的存储与共享。用户可通过https://github.com/EJarrattBarnham/AMReader 下载这两款工具及详尽的使用手册。