What Are Mycorrhizae? Types and Their Role in Plant Growth

What is mycorrhizae? 

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

the roots of plant. It is mutualistic relationship. It means that mycorrhizae is beneficial

for both organisms.

Benefits:

    The fungal hyphae increase the amount of nutrient such as phosphorus, copper, and other 

nutrient in soil. It also help in directly absorption of these elements.

On the other hand fungi absorbed nutrients from plant.

Plant can grow better with mycorrhizae than the other plants.

Root Epidermis:

    Upper layer of root is called root epidermis which consist of  epidermal tissues. It helps in 

protection, absorption as well as  interaction of plant with soil. Fungal hyphae attach with 

root epidermis.

Root hair:

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

    nutrients from soil.

Types of mycorrhizae

 There are serval types of mycorrhizae:

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

1. Endo Mycorrhizae:

                          As clear from name endo means " inside". When the hyphae of fungi penetrate 

the cell wall of root of plant is called endo mycorrhizae.
           It forms 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 does not penetrate cell wall of  root

of plant then it is called ectomycorrhizae.
Some species of basidiomycota and ascomycota form this type.

3. Monotropoid Mycorrhizae:

    The relationship of basidiomycetes and those plants which lake 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 relation is very important for the life cycle of all orchid and also essential for the development of orchid.

5. Ericoid Mycorrhizae:

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