Importance of mycorrhiza for plant growth

Importance of mycorrhiza for plant growth

in the Mycorrhiza

Mycorrhiza is an established and recognized aspect of agricultural science and biology, which focuses on the favorable relationships between mushrooms and plants. The word "Mycorrhiza" comes from the Greek words Mykēs, which means "mushroom", and rhiza, which means "root". This complex but advantageous process plays a decisive role in growth and health of the plants.

types of mycorrhiza

There are basically three types of mycorrhiza that differ in the form and function: ectomycorrhiza, endomycorrhiza and arcuscular mycorrhiza.

ectomycorrhiza

Ectomycorrhiza is the most common form of mycorrhiza and develops primarily between mushrooms and trees, especially in pine, birch and oak. In this symbiosis, the mushroom envelops the roots of the plant and forms a dense network around the exterior.

endomycorrhiza

In contrast to the ectomycorrhiza, the mushroom penetrates into the cells of the host in the endomycorrhiza. This type of symbiosis can be found especially in herbs, grasses and many types of vegetables.

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza

The third type, the Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, is a sub -group of endomycorrhiza and occurs especially in tropical plants and in areas with moderate moisture.

meaning of mycorrhiza for plant growth

Mycorrhiza favors plant growth to a number of ways. It supports the plant in the absorption of nutrients, improves the resilience towards diseases and helps it to establish itself in difficult conditions.

improved nutrient absorption

Mushrooms that form a symbiosis with plants increase the absorption capacity of the plants for nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as for essential trace elements. They create an extended network of fungal hyphs (the filamentous structures that form the colonies of mushrooms) that effectively act as additional roots and expand into the surrounding earth.

increased resistance to diseases

Another significant role in mycorrhiza is to strengthen the resilience of plants against diseases. The mycorrhiza fungus forms a physical barrier around the roots of the plant, which serves to keep pathogenic organisms and parasites away, and also sends chemical signals that stimulate the plant to increased the production of defense molecules.

adaptability in difficult conditions

Mycorrhiza helps plants to establish themselves in difficult ambient conditions and to become more resistant to stress factors such as dryness, high saline in the soil or pests. Their ability to expand the root room and absorb more water and nutrients means that they can achieve better results under less favorable conditions.

Use of mycorrhiza in agriculture

The advantages of mycorrhiza for plant growth have now also arrived in modern agriculture. Many farmers use mycorrhiza mushrooms to improve soil quality and increase the earnings.

Improvement of soil quality

In agriculture, mycorrhiza is particularly used to improve soil quality. The mushrooms form a dense network in the soil, which protects the surface floor from erosion. In addition, the mushrooms ensure that the soil becomes looser and fluffier, which improves ventilation and promotes growth.

earnings increase

The improvement of the nutrient absorption by Mycorrhiza has shown that it can directly increase the yields of agricultural production. The increased efficiency in the use of water and nutrients leads to stronger, healthier plants and thus to higher yields.

Fazit

The importance of mycorrhiza for plant growth is significant and will probably become more important in the coming years. The ability of mycorrhiza mushrooms, growth and resilience to improve plants makes them an extremely valuable tool in agriculture and forestry. By further improving our understanding of these processes, we could be able to develop more sustainable and efficient agricultural systems. It is clear that mycorrhiza plays an important role in the relationship between plants and its environment, which is crucial for the balance of our ecosystem.