mykorrhizasymbioser

Mykorrhizasymbioser (mycorrhizal symbioses) are mutualistic associations between land plants and fungi in which fungal partners colonize plant roots and form structures that facilitate nutrient exchange and nutrient uptake. In these relationships, plants supply the fungi with carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis, while the fungi extend the plant’s root system through networks of hyphae to access water and mineral nutrients, particularly phosphorus and micronutrients.

There are several major types. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) involve Glomeromycota and produce arbuscules within root cortical cells, enabling efficient nutrient transfer. Ectomycorrhizae (ECM) form a sheath around roots and a Hartig net between outer root cells, common in many trees. Other forms include ericoid mycorrhizae, associated with ericaceous plants, and orchid mycorrhizae, which are essential for orchid seed germination and early development. Mycorrhizal associations are widespread, with estimates that a large majority of terrestrial plant species form some type of mycorrhizal relationship.

Ecological roles include enhancing nutrient and water uptake, improving soil structure via hyphal networks, and increasing plant resistance to drought, pathogens, and soil stress. Mycorrhizas influence nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and ecosystem productivity, and they are important in forestry and agriculture as natural biofertilizers and soil health indicators.

Management considerations include selecting appropriate fungal partners, understanding host specificity, and recognizing that benefits can vary with soil conditions, plant species, and environment. In some systems, inoculation may improve establishment, while in others, native communities already provide optimal symbioses.