Mycorrhiza

Mycorrhiza describes the form of a symbiosis between fungi and perennial plants. In mycorrhizae, for example, the roots of a tree are closely entwined by the hyphae of the fungus. A lively exchange of substances takes place via this mycelium mantle. The tree produces carbohydrates. These are absorbed and metabolised by the fungus. Furthermore, the plant offers the fungus a protected biotope with constant biological-chemical conditions within its root. The fungus often improves the plants' food intake and increases their resistance to stress situations, especially to pathogens. In addition, it improves the structure of the colonised soils (Kumar A et al. 2018). Many orchids also live in symbiosis with fungi and are obligatory dependent on their symbiosis partners for the germination of their seeds under natural conditions.

1. Kumar A et al (2018) Does plant-Microbe interaction confer stress tolerance in plants: A review?. Microbiol Res 207:41-52.