RM
Mycorrhiza research
Mycorrhiza research. The endomycorrhizal fungus Glomus sp. is at top right (3 petri dishes). Clockwise from centre right are different stages of the research. A mycorrhiza is an association between a soil fungus and the roots of a vascular plant. The majority of vascular plant roots are mycorrhizal. Endomycorrhizal fungi grow within cell walls of the root. Both organisms benefit from this association. The fungus is able to access nutrient forms unavailable to the plant, process them and pass them on to the roots. The mass of fungal hyphae also provide a large surface area for the uptake of water and minerals. The fungus receives carbon compounds that the plant produces via photosynthesis. Photographed at the University of Pisa, Italy.
More
Top Categories