Q.Write any 3 importance of Mycorrhizae.

Mycorrhizal fungi living in association with plant roots enhance mineral and water absorption, increase stress tolerance, and protect against soil pathogens.

Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a higher (vascular) plant. The fungal hyphae either form a mantle around the root (ectomycorrhiza) or penetrate the root cortex cells (endomycorrhiza/vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza), while the plant supplies the fungus with sugars and organic nutrients from photosynthesis.

Three important benefits of mycorrhizal association to the host plant:

1. Enhanced absorption of water and minerals: The thread-like fungal hyphae vastly increase the effective surface area of the root system, greatly improving the uptake of water and relatively immobile minerals from the soil, particularly phosphorus, and also zinc and copper.

2. Increased resistance to root pathogens: The fungal covering/association can act as a physical and biochemical barrier, giving the plant improved resistance to certain root-infecting (soil-borne) pathogens.

   …