What Are Mycorrhizae? Types and Their Role in Plant Growth

What is mycorrhizae? 

    It is the relationship between fungi and higher vascular plants. The fungi attach to 

the roots of plants. It is a mutualistic relationship. It means that mycorrhizae is beneficial for both organisms.

Benefits:

    Fungal hyphae increase the availability of nutrients such as phosphorus and copper in soil. It also helps in the direct absorption of these elements.

On the other hand, fungi absorb nutrients from plants.

Plants can grow better with mycorrhizae than other plants.

Root Epidermis:

    The upper layer of the roots is called the root epidermis, which consists of  epidermal tissues. It helps in protection, absorption, as well as  interaction between the plant and soil. Fungal hyphae attach to 

root epidermis.

Root hair:

       These are thread-like structures which are found on the tips of the root. It helps in the absorption of 

    nutrients from the soil.

Types of mycorrhizae

 There are several types of mycorrhizae:

1. Endo Mycorrhizae
2. Ectomycorrhizae
3. Monotropoid Mycorrhizae
4. Orchid Mycorrhizae
5. Ericoid Mycorrhizae

1. Endo Mycorrhizae:

                          As the name suggests, endo means " inside". When the hyphae of fungi penetrate 

the cell wall of the root of the plant is called endo mycorrhizae.
It forms a special structure called arbuscules; for this reason, it is also known as arbuscular mycorrhizae. 

           These are widespread and found in approximately80%  of plant species.

2. Ectomycorrhizae:

     Ecto means "outside ". If the fungal hyphae do not penetrate the cell wall of the root of the plant, then it is called ectomycorrhizae.

Some species of basidiomycota and ascomycota form this type.

3. Monotropoid Mycorrhizae:

    The relationship between basidiomycetes and those plants that lack chlorophyll and cannot do photosynthesis. Plants obtain their food with the help of fungi.

4. Orchid Mycorrhizae:

    It is the relationship between orchid and some other kind of basidiomycota. This relationship is very important for the life cycle of all orchids and also essential for their development.

5. Ericoid Mycorrhizae:

    It is the relationship between ascomycota and some plants of Ericaceae. It is found in acidic and nutrient - poor soil.