"A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant."
The study of the symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots and how this affects plant growth and nutrient uptake.
Introduction to Mycorrhizae: Basic concepts and definitions, history of mycorrhizal research, potential applications and benefits.
Types of Mycorrhizae: Different types of mycorrhizal associations, including arbuscular, ectomycorrhizal, ericoid, orchidaceous, and monotropoid.
Anatomy and Physiology of Mycorrhizae: Understanding the structure and function of mycorrhizal fungi, including their role in nutrient acquisition and transfer.
Ecology of Mycorrhizae: The interaction between mycorrhizae and plants in different environments, including biotic and abiotic factors that affect mycorrhizal functioning.
Mycorrhizae and Soil Biology: The role of mycorrhizae in soil biogeochemical cycling, and their interactions with other soil microorganisms.
Molecular Biology of Mycorrhizae: The genetic and molecular mechanisms of mycorrhizal symbiosis, including gene expression, signaling pathways, and ecological genomics.
Mycorrhizal Applications in Agriculture: The potential of mycorrhizae as biofertilizers, soil amendments, and disease suppressors in agriculture and horticulture.
Mycorrhizae and Climate Change: The impact of climate change on mycorrhizal functioning and their potential role in mitigating the effects of global warming.
Mycorrhizal Biotechnology: The development of mycorrhizal biotechnology, including inoculant production, genetic engineering, and bioremediation.
Mycorrhizae and Biodiversity: The link between mycorrhizae and plant biodiversity, and their potential role in conservation and restoration ecology.
Mycorrhizae and Human Health: The role of mycorrhizae in human health, including their potential as sources of natural products with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties.
Mycorrhizae and Education: The integration of mycorrhizae into science education, including pedagogical approaches and educational resources.
Arbuscular mycorrhizae: This is the most common type of mycorrhizae that forms a mutualistic relationship with over 80% of plant species. The fungal hyphae penetrate the plant roots and form branched structures called arbuscules, which increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.
Ectomycorrhizae: This type of mycorrhizae forms mutualism with woody plants such as trees and shrubs. The fungal hyphae surround the roots forming a mantle and extend into the surrounding soil forming a network called the Hartig net. Unlike arbuscular mycorrhizae, it does not penetrate the root cells.
Ericoid mycorrhizae: This type of mycorrhizae is common in plants of the Ericaceae family such as blueberries, rhododendrons, and heathers. The fungal hyphae form a dense sheath around the roots and penetrate the outer layers of root cells.
Orchid mycorrhizae: Orchids have a specialized type of mycorrhizae that forms in their seeds. The fungal hyphae penetrate the embryo and provide the necessary nutrients for its germination and initial growth. During its growth, the orchid grows an underground stem called a rhizome which forms a symbiotic relationship with the fungus. This type of mycorrhizae is necessary for most orchids to grow and survive.
"The term mycorrhiza refers to the role of the fungus in the plant's rhizosphere, its root system."
"Mycorrhizae play important roles in plant nutrition, soil biology, and soil chemistry."
"The fungus colonizes the host plant's root tissues, either intracellularly as in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, or extracellularly as in ectomycorrhizal fungi."
"The association is normally mutualistic."
"In particular species, or in particular circumstances, mycorrhizae may have a parasitic association with host plants."
"From Greek μύκης mýkēs, 'fungus,' and ῥίζα rhiza, 'root.'"
"The fungus colonizes the host plant's root tissues, intracellularly."
"The fungus colonizes the host plant's root tissues, extracellularly."
"Mycorrhizae play important roles in plant nutrition."
"Mycorrhizae play important roles in soil biology."
"Mycorrhizae play important roles in soil chemistry."
"In particular species, or in particular circumstances, mycorrhizae may have a parasitic association with host plants."
"Mycorrhizae play important roles in plant nutrition."
"The association is normally mutualistic."
"Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi" and "ectomycorrhizal fungi."
"The term mycorrhiza comes from Greek roots."
"Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonize the host plant's root tissues intracellularly."
"Ectomycorrhizal fungi colonize the host plant's root tissues extracellularly."
"The term mycorrhiza refers to the role of the fungus in the plant's rhizosphere, its root system."