Fungal Associations II
Mycorrhizae: symbioses between fungi and roots of higher plants
90% of all higher plant species have mycorrhizae
fungi account for 15% of all plant root weight
fungi increase root’s surface area and contact with soil? higher nutrient absorption through root system
Two forms:
- arbuscular mycorrhizae: most common; hyphae penetrate into root cells; Glomales of thezygomycetes; no abovegroundfruiting structures
- ectomycorrhizae: mostly on forest trees (pines, oaks, birches, etc.) and on orchids; mostly basidiomycetes; do not penetrate root cells