ektomikorrhizát

Ektomykorrhiza, meaning "outside mycorrhiza," is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a plant. In this type of mycorrhiza, the fungal hyphae form a dense sheath, known as the mantle, around the root tip. Extensive networks of hyphae, called the Hartig net, then penetrate the intercellular spaces between the epidermal and cortical cells of the root, but do not enter the plant cells themselves.

This symbiotic relationship is mutualistic, meaning both the fungus and the plant benefit. The fungus, through its extensive hyphal network, significantly increases the surface area for nutrient and water absorption from the soil. It can access nutrients that are less mobile or difficult for the plant roots to obtain, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. In return, the plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates, primarily sugars produced during photosynthesis.

Ektomykorrhiza is predominantly found in temperate and boreal forests and is associated with a wide range of woody plants, particularly trees in the Pinaceae, Fagaceae, Betulaceae, and Salicaceae families. Common examples of trees that form ektomykorrhizal associations include pines, oaks, birches, and aspens. The presence and diversity of ektomykorrhizal fungi are crucial for the health and productivity of forest ecosystems.