mikorrhízát

Mycorrhizae refers to a symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant. The term "mycorrhiza" literally means "fungus root" in Greek, reflecting the intimate relationship between these two organisms. In this partnership, the fungus colonizes the root system of a host plant, either on the surface or penetrating the plant's cells.

This symbiosis is mutually beneficial. The plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates, primarily sugars produced during photosynthesis, which the fungus cannot produce itself. In return, the fungus significantly enhances the plant's ability to absorb nutrients and water from the soil. The extensive network of fungal hyphae, which are thread-like structures, can explore a much larger volume of soil than the plant's roots alone. This allows the plant to access essential minerals like phosphorus and nitrogen, which are often immobile in the soil, and also improves drought tolerance by increasing water uptake.

There are several types of mycorrhizae, with the most common being ectomycorrhizae and arbuscular mycorrhizae. Ectomycorrhizae typically form a sheath around the root and penetrate between root cells, while arbuscular mycorrhizae penetrate directly into the plant cells, forming branched structures called arbuscules. This relationship is crucial for the health and survival of many plant species, including most trees and agricultural crops, and plays a vital role in ecosystem functioning.