Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
From Ecologist Verde we want to teach you everything about the perfect symbiosis between fungi and plants. Mycorrhizae are a whole field of research and a field to be exploited to facilitate and favor not only the care of many types of plants, but also to ensure a greener future for our planet.
In this article you will learn what are mycorrhizae and their types, as well as what is the mycorrhization process and all the advantages that this exchange of nutrients so beneficial for plants and fungi entails.
What are mycorrhizae and mycorrhizae - definition
Mycorrhizae are called symbiotic and mutual associations that are created between plant roots terrestrial and certain types of soil fungi. These were discovered in 1885 and attracted the attention of experts for their exceptional and effective relationship to date. So much so, that it is estimated that more than 97% of plant species that exist on the earth's surface are mycorrhized.
We call mycorrhization the process, natural or artificial, which consists of putting an actively growing root in contact with some type of mycorrhizal fungus. This fusion is carried out through an inoculation process thanks to the use of spores or mycelium.
Nursery mycorrhization
During the mycorrhization process, if it is produced by the induction of the human hand, some key factors for the success of the symbiosis are always taken into account. Among these factors, it is very important to check the age and physiological state of both the plant and the fungus. In addition, it should be avoided that other varieties of fungi are present that can interfere with mycorrhization. Finally, as steps to follow in a natural way, look at the pH of the soil, the water or the available nutrients before continuing with the process.
You should also know that not all plants are compatible or accept the mycorrhization process. Currently, some families of plants that are compatible with them from the cruciferous to the urticaceae, even through the sedge. In addition, great results have been achieved with mycorrhization with legumes and citrus plants.
Types of mycorrhizae
These are the different types of mycorrhizae:
- Ectomycorrhizae: This type of mycorrhiza is made up of two types of fungi, Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes. After their union, they develop a thick layer of mycelium just above the cortical zone of the plant's nutritional roots, forming a kind of network. For this reason, they are also known as the mantle formers. This example of mycorrhiza is very common in forest and woody species.
- Endomycorrhizae: Unlike the group before this group of mycorrhizae, they are distinguished because they do not form a fungal mantle in the root of the plant. The fungi that produce them are characterized by intercellularly colonizing the root cortex. In turn, they are divided into three varieties:
- Orchideomycorrhizae: are those that are linked to the orchid family. These usually form tangles in the root cells of the plant.
- Ericomycorrhizae: linked to the Ericaceae Family, these form a compact structure between the cells of the fungus and the roots.
- Arbuscular mycorrhizae: they are characterized by creating a network of intracellular arbuscules through which the transfer of nutrients will take place.
- Ectendomicorhiza: this type presents a dual colonization of the fungi with the roots. This means that they form both an external and internal cortical mantle in the cortex.
Advantages of mycorrhization
As you have seen so far, mycorrhizae are part of a very interesting symbiosis process. To expand this information, we go on to cite the main advantages of mycorrhization:
- Mycorrhization improves the assimilation and uptake of nutrients, especially of minerals, such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium and even nitrogen and water; for both the plant and the fungus.
- It influences the improvement of some types of plants, facilitating processes for make them stronger and resistant to the climate, the type of soil and the presence of substances that acidify the soil, such as sulfur or magnesium.
- Mycorrhization helps protect the plant and fungus from pathogens and external nematodes that can damage them.
- One of the most important advantages of mycorrhization is that it clearly improves the physiological state and activate the roots. In addition, from the aforementioned, it makes the roots stay active for longer, helping with feeding and, therefore, the optimal growth of the plant.
- For its part, the fungus benefits from a more carbohydrates and vitamins coming from the plant.
For all the aforementioned, it is not surprising that mycorrhizae are currently used with one of the best tools for gardening, as well as to repopulate deforested areas and improve soils degraded by climate change and the hand of man.
What fungi make mycorrhizae - examples
To finish, we leave a list of examples of fungi that make mycorrhizae with the roots of plants:
- Fungi present in ectomycorrhizae: Rhizopogon, Cenococcuym, Cortinarius, Thelefora, Pisolithus Y Suillus.
- Fungi present in orchideomycorrhizae: Xerotus, Ceratobasidium, Armillariella, Marasmius, Fomes, Corticium, Sebacina, Gymnopilus Y Tulasnella.
- This is the type of fungus present in erichomycorrhizae: Pezizella.
- Types of fungi present in arbuscular mycorrhizae: Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Entrophospora, Glomus, Sclerocystis Y Scutellospora.
- The fungus present in ectendomicorhizae: Endogone.
If you like the world of fungi and that of vegetables or plants, you can learn more about them in these other articles by Green Ecologist about the Fungi Kingdom: what it is, characteristics, classification and examples and the Plantae Kingdom: what it is, characteristics, classification and examples.
In addition, here below we leave you a video about the symbiosis so that you understand even better the relationship of mycorrhizae.
If you want to read more articles similar to Mycorrhizae: what are they and types, we recommend that you enter our Biology category.
