Michael Davis
Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and plants, with the former colonizing the latter's root tissues. Mycorrhizae are further classified into two types, based on the location of the fungal hyphae in relation to the root tissues of the plant: endomycorrhizae, which produce hyphae inside the roots, and ectomycorrhizae, which produce hyphae outside the roots. While mycorrhizae are commonly associated with mushrooms, not all mycorrhizal fungi grow mushrooms. The ones that do typically form associations with woody trees and shrubs. Mycorrhizae are important for plant nutrition, soil biology, and soil chemistry, and they can help plants resist drought, produce larger crops, and thrive on poor soils or adverse conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant |
| Types | Ecto-mycorrhizae, Endo-mycorrhizae, Arbuscular mycorrhizae, Ericoid mycorrhizae, Arbutoid mycorrhizae, Monotropoid mycorrhizae, Orchidaceous mycorrhizae, Ectendomycorrhizae |
| Benefits to plants | Absorb nutrients from the soil, protect against soil-borne diseases, increase tolerance to adverse conditions, improve drought resistance, bigger crops and flowers, improve growth on poor soils |
| Fungi benefits | Sugars and carbon from the plant |
| Plant types | Woody plants, trees, shrubs, roses, hedging, fruit, perennials, medicinal plants |
| Examples of mycorrhizal mushrooms | Truffles, matsutake, chanterelles, porcini, morels |
| Examples of plants that do not respond to mycorrhizae | Plants in the Brassica family (e.g. broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), azalea, beet, blueberry, spinach |
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What You'll Learn
- Mycorrhizal mushrooms are mutualistic fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plants and trees
- Mycorrhizae are good for mushrooms as they get access to the simple sugars that the host plant or tree produces through photosynthesis
- Mycorrhizal fungi form an extensive network, known as mycelium, of microscopic thread-like strands or hyphae
- Mycorrhizae help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil that would otherwise be difficult to obtain
- Mycorrhizal fungi can be purchased at garden centres, nurseries or online
Mycorrhizal mushrooms are mutualistic fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plants and trees
The relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plants is mutually beneficial. The fungi colonize the host plant's root tissues, either intracellularly or extracellularly, and receive sugars and carbon from the plant, which the plant produces through photosynthesis. In return, the mycorrhizal fungi absorb and pass water and nutrients such as phosphate, ammonium, zinc, and other minerals, to the plant. This exchange helps plants grow, resist drought, produce larger crops, and thrive in poor or adverse soil conditions.
Mycorrhizal fungi are particularly beneficial to woody plants and trees, although they can also benefit other plant types. They are found in most soils naturally and are estimated to be associated with over 90% of all plant species. They are especially common in crop species, with arbuscular mycorrhizae observed in around 67% of species. Fossil evidence suggests that mycorrhizal fungi first appeared 400-500 million years ago when the first plants were colonizing the land.
While not all mycorrhizal fungi grow mushrooms, those that do typically form associations with woody trees and shrubs. The most sought-after gourmet mushrooms, including truffles, matsutake, chanterelles, porcini, and morels, are mycorrhizal. These mushrooms have complex life cycles and depend on their host plants or trees for energy, making them difficult to cultivate.
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Mycorrhizae are good for mushrooms as they get access to the simple sugars that the host plant or tree produces through photosynthesis
Mycorrhizae are good for mushrooms as they provide access to simple sugars, which are essential for energy requirements. Fungi cannot produce food through photosynthesis, so they rely on other organisms or decomposing organic matter for nutrients. The host plant or tree produces these simple sugars through photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants use sunlight to transform water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and energy. In exchange for these sugars, the plant receives water and nutrients from the fungi.
Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and plants, with the fungi colonizing the host plant's root tissues either intracellularly or extracellularly. This relationship is mutually beneficial, with both the fungus and the plant depending on each other for growth and survival. The fungi form an extensive underground network, known as mycelium, which covers a much larger area than the plant roots alone. This network allows the fungi to efficiently 'mine' the soil for nutrients and water, which are then passed on to the host plant.
Mycorrhizal fungi have been around for hundreds of millions of years and are believed to be the root of all life on land. They are found in most soils naturally and are associated with more than 90% of all plant species. However, not all mycorrhizal fungi grow mushrooms. The ones that do typically form associations with woody trees and shrubs.
Morel mushrooms, for example, have a mycorrhizal relationship with various tree species, including ash, elm, sycamore, apple, and wild cherry trees. Some people believe that morels can also be saprotrophic, appearing under dead or dying trees and triggering fruiting when the tree is dying. Other examples of mycorrhizal mushrooms include truffles, matsutake, chanterelles, and porcini. These mushrooms are often sought-after and expensive due to their complex life cycles and dependence on specific host trees for thriving.
Overall, the mutualistic relationship between mycorrhizae and mushrooms provides benefits to both parties, with the mushrooms gaining access to essential sugars for energy and the mycorrhizae receiving nutrients and water in return.
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Mycorrhizal fungi form an extensive network, known as mycelium, of microscopic thread-like strands or hyphae
Mycorrhizal fungi form extensive underground networks, known as mycelium, composed of microscopic thread-like strands called hyphae. Mycelium networks can cover up to 700 times more soil than plant roots, allowing mycorrhizal fungi to efficiently 'mine' the soil for nutrients and water. The large surface area of the hyphae facilitates the transfer of nutrients between the fungi and their host plants.
The word 'mycorrhiza' means 'fungus root' and refers to the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of its host plant. Mycorrhizal fungi colonise the host plant's root tissues, either intracellularly (as in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) or extracellularly (as in ectomycorrhizal fungi). This mutualistic association is beneficial to both the fungus and the plant.
Arbuscular mycorrhizae are formed by fungi in the division Glomeromycota and are found in 85% of all plant families, including many crop species. Fossil evidence suggests that this symbiosis first appeared 400-500 million years ago when the first plants were colonising land. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have lost the ability to sustain themselves by decomposing dead plant material and instead depend on the plant host for growth and reproduction. In exchange for carbon from the host plant, the fungi provide phosphate and other nutrients.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi, on the other hand, cover the ends of young roots and penetrate only the cell wall of the cortex. This type of mycorrhiza is commonly found in evergreen trees and shrubs, as well as some deciduous trees. They are known to produce mushrooms as their fruiting structures, which is why mushrooms are often found in the root zone beneath a tree. Ectomycorrhizae absorb phosphate, ammonium, zinc, and other nutrients from the soil, which are then passed along to the host plant.
Mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in plant nutrition, soil biology, and soil chemistry. They help plants establish more quickly, boost healthy growth, and improve resistance to drought, diseases, and adverse soil conditions. By forming mycelial networks, mycorrhizal fungi connect individual plants, allowing them to exchange nutrients and chemical messages.
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Mycorrhizae help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil that would otherwise be difficult to obtain
Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and plants. The term mycorrhiza comes from the Ancient Greek "múkēs" (meaning "fungus") and "rhíza" (meaning "root"). Mycorrhizae play important roles in plant nutrition, soil biology, and soil chemistry.
Mycorrhizal fungi form an extensive network, known as mycelium, of microscopic thread-like strands or hyphae, which becomes far more extensive than the actual roots of a plant. The network can cover up to 700 times more soil than the plant roots alone. This allows the fungi to efficiently 'mine' the soil for nutrients and water, which are passed along to the plant. In exchange, the plant supplies the fungus with food it generates through photosynthesis.
Mycorrhizae have been around for hundreds of millions of years and are believed to have served as a primitive root system for early terrestrial plants. Fossil evidence and DNA sequence analysis suggest that this mutualism appeared 400-460 million years ago when the first plants were colonizing land. Arbuscular mycorrhizae, in particular, have been observed in the seedling stage of otherwise ectomycorrhizal partners, suggesting that they may be able to infect almost any land plant given the proper circumstances. Today, more than 90% of all plant species form associations with mycorrhizal fungi, and mycorrhizae are found in 85% of all plant families.
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Mycorrhizal fungi can be purchased at garden centres, nurseries or online
Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plants and trees, aiding in the absorption of nutrients and water, and helping them grow. They are often referred to as "fungus root", derived from the Greek words "mykós", meaning fungus, and "riza", meaning root. While some mycorrhizal fungi grow mushrooms, not all do. Those that do typically associate with woody trees and shrubs.
Mycorrhizal fungi are commercially available at garden centres, nurseries, and online. They are sold in various forms, including liquids and powders, and are also present in some fertiliser blends. When planting new plants, gardeners can purchase mycorrhizal fungi and add it to the planting hole. This can help plants establish more quickly, boost healthy growth, and improve resistance to drought and diseases.
Online retailers such as Amazon offer a range of mycorrhizal fungi products, with options varying in price, size, and colour. It is important to check the product details and buying options for each item.
Specialist websites like ARBICO Organics provide mycorrhizae for sale in both liquid and powdered forms. Their Root Build 240 blend, for example, combines endo- and ectomycorrhizal fungi, suitable for new and established plants.
Wallace Organic Wonder offers a super-concentrated organic mycorrhizal inoculant containing a single species of endo mycorrhizal fungi, Rhizophagus Intraradices. This species is favoured for its superior performance in nutrient-rich environments and rapid colonisation abilities.
By purchasing and applying mycorrhizal fungi, gardeners can enhance the health and growth of their plants, particularly those that are newly planted.
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Frequently asked questions
Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant. The term mycorrhiza refers to the role of the fungus in the plant's rhizosphere, the plant root system, and its surroundings. Mycorrhizae play important roles in plant nutrition, soil biology, and soil chemistry.
Mycorrhizae help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil that are otherwise difficult to obtain and often provide some protection against soil-borne diseases. In exchange, the plant supplies food to the fungus. Mycorrhizae may also increase a plant’s tolerance to adverse conditions, such as drought, high temperatures, and salinity.
Many of the most expensive and sought-after gourmet mushrooms worldwide are mycorrhizal mushrooms. These include truffles, matsutake, chanterelles, porcini, and morels. Mycorrhizal mushrooms have complex life cycles and need to partner with specific host trees to thrive, making them difficult to cultivate.
