Importance of mycorrhiza for plant growth

Importance of mycorrhiza for plant growth

into the mycorrhiza

Mycorrhiza is a well-established and recognized aspect of agricultural science and biology that focuses on the beneficial relationships between fungi and plants. The word “mycorrhiza” comes from the Greek words mykēs, meaning “mushroom,” and rhiza, meaning “root.” This complex but beneficial process plays a crucial role in plant growth and health.

Types of mycorrhiza

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

Ectomycorrhiza

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

Endomycorrhiza

In contrast to ectomycorrhiza, the fungus in endomycorrhiza penetrates the cells of the host plant. This type of symbiosis is particularly found in herbs, grasses and many vegetables.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza

The third type, the arbuscular mycorrhiza, is a subgroup of the endomycorrhiza and occurs primarily in tropical plants and in areas with moderate humidity.

Importance of mycorrhiza for plant growth

Mycorrhiza promotes plant growth in a number of ways. It supports the plant in absorbing nutrients, improves resistance to diseases and helps it to establish itself in difficult conditions.

Improved nutrient absorption

Fungi that form a symbiosis with plants increase the plants' ability to absorb nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as essential trace elements. They create an extended network of fungal hyphae (the filamentous structures that form the colonies of fungi) that effectively act as additional roots and extend into the surrounding soil.

Increased resistance to disease

Another important role of mycorrhiza is to strengthen plants' resistance to disease. The mycorrhizal fungus forms a physical barrier around the plant's roots that serves to keep pathogenic organisms and parasites out, and also sends out chemical signals that stimulate the plant to increase the production of defense molecules.

Adaptability in difficult conditions

Mycorrhiza helps plants to establish themselves in difficult environmental conditions and to become more resistant to stress factors such as drought, high salt levels in the soil or pests. Their ability to expand root space and absorb more water and nutrients means they can produce better results in less favorable conditions.

Use of mycorrhiza in agriculture

The benefits of mycorrhizae for plant growth have now also reached modern agriculture. Many farmers use mycorrhizal fungi to improve soil quality and increase yields.

Improving soil quality

In agriculture, mycorrhizae is particularly used to improve soil quality. The fungi form a dense network in the soil, thereby protecting the surface soil from erosion. The mushrooms also ensure that the soil becomes looser and fluffier, which improves aeration and promotes growth.

Increase in yield

Improving nutrient uptake by mycorrhizae has shown that it can directly increase agricultural production yields. The increased efficiency in using water and nutrients leads to stronger, healthier plants and therefore higher yields.

Conclusion

The importance of mycorrhizae in plant growth is significant and is likely to become more important in the coming years. The ability of mycorrhizal fungi to improve plant growth and resilience makes them an extremely valuable tool in agriculture and forestry. By further improving our understanding of these processes, we may 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 their environment, which is crucial for the balance of our ecosystem.