From Ecology Verde we want to teach you all about the perfect symbiosis between fungi and plants. Mycorrhizae are a field of research and a land to be exploited to facilitate and favor not only the care of many types of plants, but to ensure a greener future for our planet.
In this article you will learn What are mycorrhizas and their typesas well as what is the mycorrization process and all the advantages that this exchange of nutrients so beneficial for plants and fungi entails.
What are mycorrhizas and mycorrization – definition
It is called mycorrhizae to symbiotic and mutual associations that are created between plants’ roots terrestrial and certain types of soil fungi. These were discovered in 1885 and caught the attention of experts for their relationship, to date, exceptional and effective. So much so, it is estimated that more than 97% of plant species that exist on the earth’s surface are mycorrhized.
We call Mycorrization to the process, natural or artificial, which consists in contacting an active growth root with some type of mycorric fungus. This fusion is carried out through an inoculation process thanks to the use of spores or mycelium.
Mycorrization in nursery
During the Mycorrization processif it occurs through induction of the human hand, some key factors for the success of symbiosis are always taken into account. Among these factors, it is very important to check the age and physiological state of both the plant and the fungus. In addition, other varieties of fungi that can interfere with mycorrization should be present. Already, finally, as steps to follow the pH of the soil, water or nutrients available before continuing with the process.
You should also know that not all plants are compatible or accept the mycorrization process. Currently, some families of plants that are compatible With them from the crucifers to the urticáceas, even through the mipperáceas. In addition, great results have been achieved with mycorization with legume and citrus plants.
Types of Mycorrhizas
These are the different Types of Mycorrhizas:
- Ectomicorrizas: This type of mycorrhiza is formed by two types of fungi, basidiomycetes and ascomycetes. After their union they develop a thick layer of mycelium just over the cortical zone of the nutritional roots of the plant forming a kind of network. Therefore, they are also known as the mantle formators. This example of mycorrhiza is very common is forest and woody species.
- Endomicorrizas: Unlike the group before this group of Mycorrhizas, they are distinguished because they do not form a fungal mantle at the root of the plant. The fungi that produce them are characterized by intercellular colonizing the radical cortex. In turn, they are divided into three varieties:
- Orchideomycorrhizas: They are those that are linked to the orchid family. These usually form slips in the root cells of the plant.
- Ericomicorrizas: Linked to the Ericáceas family, they make up a compact structure between fungus cells and roots.
- Building mycorrhiza: They are characterized by creating an intracellular arbusculus network where the transfer of nutrients will be carried out.
- ECTENDOMICORRIZAS: This type presents a dual colonization of fungi with the roots. This means that they form a cortical mantle both external and internal in the cortex.
Advantages of mycorrization
As you have seen until now, mycorrhizas are part of a very interesting symbiosis process. To expand this information, we will quote the main advantages of mycorrization:
- Mycorrization Improves the assimilation and collection of nutrientsespecially minerals, such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium and even nitrogen and water; both for the plant and for the fungus.
- Influences the improvement of some types of plants, facilitating processes for make them stronger and climate resistant, to the type of soil and the presence of substances that acidify the soil, such as sulfur or magnesium.
- Mycorrization helps Protect the plant and pathogenic fungus and external nematodes that can damage them.
- One of the most important advantages of mycorrization is that it clearly improves the physiological state and Activate the roots. In addition, the aforementioned, makes the roots remain active longer helping food and, therefore, the optimal growth of the plant.
- For its part, the fungus achieves as benefits a greater amount of carbohydrates and vitamins from the plant.
For all the aforementioned, it is not surprising that mycorrizas are used with one of the best tools for gardening, as well as to repopulate deforested areas and improve soils degraded by climate change and the hand of the human being.
What fungi do mycorrhizas – examples
Finally, we leave a List of examples of fungi that make mycorrizas With the roots of the plants:
- Fungi present in ectomicorrizas: Rhizopogon, Cenococcuym, Cortinarius, Thelefora, Pisolithus and Suillus.
- Fungi present in orchidoomycorrhizas: Xerotus, Ceratobasidium, Armillariella, Marasmius, Fomes, Corticium, Sebacin, Gymnopilus and Tulasnella.
- This is the type of fungus present in the Ericomicorrizas: Pesizella.
- Types of fungi present in the arbuscular mycorrhizae: ACAULASPORA, GIGASPORA, Entrophospora, Glomus, Sclerocystis and SCUELLOSPORA.
- The fungus present in the ectndomicorrizas: Endogone.
If you like the world of fungi and that of vegetables or plants, you can know them better in these other ecology articles about the Fungi Kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples and the plant plant: what is, characteristics, classification and examples.
In addition, below we leave you a video about the symbiosis so that you understand even better the relationship of mycorrhizae.
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