Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that have long been considered a vital food source and traditional medicine in cultures worldwide. They are part of a large group of fungi known as macro fungi. Mushrooms play an essential role in sustainability and have a symbiotic relationship with plants. 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. The relationship between mushrooms and plants is mutually symbiotic, with both members benefiting. The fungus colonizes the host plant's root tissues and improves the host's moisture and nutrient absorption capabilities. In exchange, the host plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant |
| Types | Mycorrhizas, Ectomycorrhizas, Endomycorrhizas, Arbuscular mycorrhizas, Ericoid mycorrhizas, Endophytes, Ectophytes |
| Fungi Types | Basidiomycetes, Ascomycetes, Oomycetes, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota, Mucoromycotina, Glomeromycotina |
| Plant Types | Vascular plants, trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grasses, liverworts, hornworts, lycophytes, angiosperms, birch, oak, pine, rose, orchids, conifers |
| Benefits | Improved nutrient absorption, increased absorptive surface area, provision of water, minerals, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protection from pathogens, improved growth and flavour |
| Drawbacks | Potential for parasitic relationships, root rot, foliar blight |
| Fun Fact | Mushrooms are considered good luck in some parts of the world |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are part of the macro fungi group
Mushrooms are part of the macrofungi group, which is a fancy Latin term for "big fungi". They are formed from the structures of fruiting bodies or sporocarps. These sporocarps are typically the above-ground part of the mushroom that is visible to us.
When a macrofungus is not in reproductive mode, it consists of a network of nearly invisible threads called mycelia, which run through the soil or decaying wood. However, when the environmental conditions are favourable for reproduction, these threads come together to form the woody or fleshy sporocarp. These can take on a wide variety of shapes, but somewhere on or in all sporocarps, tiny reproductive units called spores will be formed. The spores of macrofungi act like seeds in a plant. They are dispersed by the sporocarp, and if the spore lands on a suitable spot, it will produce a new fungus.
Mushrooms are also associated with the root systems of many plants, including trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and grasses. These relationships are mutually symbiotic, which means both members benefit. In the most common symbiotic relationship, the plants provide sugars and energy, and the fungi harvest the nutrients and trace minerals that the plants need. Fungi can also help plants retain moisture and occasionally provide nutrients from the substrate they grow on or from dust in the air.
The primary role of mycorrhizas, or the fungi associated with the root systems of plants, is to provide resources such as phosphorus and nitrogen to flowering plants. They also effectively increase the absorptive surface area of the plant's root system, allowing plants to take up much-needed water and nutrients so they can grow better and more quickly. In return, the plants provide carbohydrates, a product of photosynthesis, which mycorrhizas require to grow.
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Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and plants
There are two types of mycorrhizae: ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae. Ectomycorrhizae form a dense sheath, called a mantle, around the plant roots. The hyphae, or long extensions of the fungus, grow from the mantle into the soil, increasing the surface area for water and mineral absorption. Endomycorrhizae, also called arbuscular mycorrhizae, do not form a dense sheath over the root. Instead, the fungal mycelium is embedded within the root tissue. Endomycorrhizae are found in the roots of more than 80% of terrestrial plants.
In a mycorrhizal association, the fungus colonizes the host plant's root tissues, either intracellularly or extracellularly. The association is usually mutualistic, meaning both members benefit. The plant provides sugars and energy, and the fungus harvests the nutrients and trace minerals the plant needs. The plant obtains phosphate and other minerals, such as zinc and copper, from the soil through the fungus. The fungus obtains nutrients, such as sugars, from the plant root. Mycorrhizae also help increase the surface area of the plant root system, allowing plants to take up much-needed water and nutrients so they can grow better and more quickly.
Mycorrhizal relationships are vital for soil structure, nutrient cycling, plant diversity, and ecosystem sustainability. They are present in 92% of plant families studied (80% of species), with arbuscular mycorrhizae being the ancestral and predominant form. Mycorrhizae have been associated with the roots of plants since at least the mid-19th century, although the symbiotic nature of the relationship was not studied and described until 1879-1882.
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Fungi and plants have a mutually beneficial relationship
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, and fungi can form symbiotic relationships with plants. Symbiosis is an ecological interaction between two organisms that live together. When both members of the association benefit, the symbiotic relationship is called mutualistic.
Fungi form mutualistic associations with many types of organisms, including cyanobacteria, algae, plants, and animals. One of the most remarkable associations between fungi and plants is the establishment of mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae are the fungal partners of a mutually beneficial symbiotic association that coevolved between the roots of vascular plants and fungi. 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. In a mycorrhizal association, the fungus colonizes the host plant's root tissues, either intracellularly as in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, or extracellularly as in ectomycorrhizal fungi.
The primary role of mycorrhizae is to provide resources such as phosphorus and nitrogen to flowering plants. They also effectively increase the absorptive surface area of the plant's root system, allowing plants to take up much-needed water and nutrients so they grow better and more quickly. In return, the plants provide carbohydrates, a product of photosynthesis, which mycorrhizae require to grow.
Another example of a mutualistic relationship between fungi and plants is lichen. Lichens are formed from cells of algae and a filamentous fungus weaving together to form a unit that is different from either organism. The algae feed the fungus sugars, and the fungus helps to retain moisture and occasionally provides nutrients from the substrate they are growing on or from dust in the air. While the algae can live without the lichen fungus, the lichen fungus cannot exist alone.
Endophytes are another example of fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plants. Endophytes are fungi that live inside plant tissues without damaging the host plant. Endophytes release toxins that repel herbivores or confer resistance to environmental stress factors, such as infection by microorganisms, drought, or heavy metals in the soil.
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Mycorrhizae play an important role in plant nutrition and soil biology
Mycorrhizae, derived from the Ancient Greek terms "múkēs" (fungus) and "rhíza" (root), refer to the symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant. This association plays a crucial role in plant nutrition, soil biology, and soil chemistry. The fungus colonizes the host plant's root tissues, either intracellularly as in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or extracellularly as in ectomycorrhizal fungi.
In this symbiotic relationship, the fungus and the plant depend on each other for specific resources. The plant provides the fungus with sugars or lipids, which are organic molecules produced through photosynthesis. In return, the fungus supplies the plant with water and essential mineral nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. This nutrient exchange is vital for plant growth and development, especially in nutrient-poor soils.
Mycorrhizae increase the absorptive surface area of the plant's root system, enhancing the plant's ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil. This improved absorption contributes to the overall growth and productivity of the plant, particularly during stressful conditions such as drought or salt toxicity. Additionally, mycorrhizae can help plants cope with heavy metal toxicity by reducing the accumulation of toxic metals in plant tissues.
The presence of mycorrhizae in the soil can also influence the flavor of certain crops, such as grapes. The specific species of endophytes (fungi living inside plants) and yeast residing in the soil can impact the taste profile of grapes, demonstrating the intricate connection between soil biology and the characteristics of the plants that grow in it.
Furthermore, mycorrhizae play a role in sustainable agriculture and soil fertility management. By promoting nutrient cycling and pest management, mycorrhizae contribute to the development of resilient ecosystems. They can also enhance soil fertility, particularly in poor-quality and low-fertility soils, making them valuable tools for improving crop yield and sustainability.
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Some mushrooms are parasitic and can harm their host plants
Most mushrooms are saprotrophs, meaning they feed on dead and decaying organic matter. However, a few species of mushrooms are parasitic, obtaining nutrients from a living host. Parasitic mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of parasitic fungi, and while they can be destructive to their hosts, they play an important role in healthy ecosystems.
Parasitic mushrooms invade and kill old or weak trees, providing light for younger plants and decaying wood for other fungi to feed on. The fungi then break down the dead wood, creating compost that improves the soil and provides nutrients for new plant growth. This process is known as external digestion, where the fungi decompose organic matter and absorb it through their hyphae.
While some parasitic mushrooms are detrimental to their hosts, a few are edible and medicinal. For example, lion's mane mushrooms, which are classified as both saprotrophic and parasitic, are known for their medicinal properties and are safe to consume in large quantities. Poplar mushrooms, found in New Zealand and Australia, are another example of edible parasitic mushrooms. They are classified as semi-parasitic and usually grow on weak or unhealthy trees, causing heart rot and eventually killing the tree. Elm oyster mushrooms are also considered edible and medicinal but are classified as parasites, as it is unclear whether they feed on living or dead tissue on host trees.
In certain cases, mycorrhizae, which are symbiotic associations between fungi and plants, may exhibit parasitic behaviour towards their host plants. Mycorrhizae typically involve the fungus colonizing the host plant's root tissues, providing water and minerals in exchange for sugars or lipids produced by the plant through photosynthesis. However, in specific species or circumstances, mycorrhizae may adopt a parasitic relationship with their host plants.
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Frequently asked questions
Mycorrhiza is the name given to the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant. The fungus colonises the host plant's root tissues and improves the host's moisture and nutrient absorption capabilities. In exchange, the host plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis.
Some mushrooms, such as golden chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius) and king boletes (Boletus edulis), are mycorrhizal fungi and have specific preferences for their symbiotic partners. King boletes, for example, are usually found with spruce, pine, birch, and oak trees.
In a symbiotic relationship, the plant provides sugars and energy, while the fungus harvests the nutrients and minerals that the plant needs. This mutualistic relationship benefits both organisms.
Sometimes, different species of fungi can attack plants and cause foliar blight, root rot, and other issues. This usually occurs when the soil is too wet for too long.
Lichens are formed from the cells of algae and a filamentous fungus weaving together. The algae feed the fungus sugars, and the fungus helps retain moisture and occasionally provides nutrients. While the algae can live without the fungus, the lichen fungus cannot exist alone.
