plantmycorrhizal

Plantmycorrhizal refers to the symbiotic relationship between plants and mycorrhizal fungi in which fungal partners colonize plant roots and form a network in the soil. The association benefits the plant by increasing nutrient and water uptake, especially phosphorus and micronutrients, and by improving soil structure and drought tolerance. In return, the plant supplies the fungi with photosynthetically derived carbon compounds. The most common forms are arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), where arbuscules form inside root cortical cells, and ectomycorrhizae (ECM), which envelop roots with a fungal mantle and grow between cells; other types include ericoid and orchid mycorrhizae. Colonization involves fungal hyphae proliferating in the soil, penetrating root tissues, and forming structures such as arbuscules or Hartig nets that facilitate nutrient exchange. Benefits extend to broader ecosystems by enhancing plant community productivity, nutrient cycling, soil aggregation, and resilience to drought or pathogens. Human uses include inoculation of crops and trees with selected mycorrhizal fungi to improve growth, reduce fertilizer inputs, and support reforestation or restoration. Success depends on compatibility among plant and fungal species, soil conditions, and management practice; some plants are non-mycorrhizal, and external stress can shift relationships toward parasitism or reduced benefits. Research areas include signaling between partners, genetic regulation of symbiosis, and the role of mycorrhizal networks in connecting plants. The term plantmycorrhizal thus encapsulates a widespread, ancient, and ecologically important symbiosis that underpins many terrestrial ecosystems.