Mycorrhizae are fungi that form symbiotic association with the roots of higher plants in humid forests.
There are two types as follows:
(1) Ectomycorrhizae:
- Mycelium of these fungi form mantle on the surface of the roots.
- Due to this absorptive surface area of roots increases and uptake of water and nutrients (N, P Ca and K) improves.
- The plant vigour, growth and yield increase.
- Some hyphae may penetrate into the root and form hartig-net in ‘the intercellular spaces of root cortex.
(2) Endomycorrhizae:
- Fugal hypahe of endomycorrhizae penetrate the root cortex and form branched arbuscules intracellularly. They also form vesicles mostly in the intercellular spaces.
- Hence, they are called Vesiculo Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM). Nowadays they are described as AM fungi.
- The plants associated with VAM grow luxuriantly in less irrigated lands.
- VAM increase the productivity of field.