Microbes and Plant Diseases

Mycorrhizae is the symbiotic association between the plant roots and fungi. The fungi colonize the living root tissue during active plant growth. The relationship between plants and fungi is symbiotic because the plant obtains phosphate and other minerals through the fungus, while the fungus obtains sugars from the plant root. 

In mutualism or symbiosis both the organisms in the association are mutually benefitted and further this association is obligatory, i.e., necessary for the existence of both organisms. Mycorrhiza is an example of symbiosis. It is an association between roots of higher plants and fungal hyphae. The fungal hyphae supply water and nutrients to the plant and in turn get food from the plant. So, both the organisms are mutually benefitted.

Mycorrhiza is the association of fungi and the roots of plants. It is a symbiotic association where fungus helps in increasing the surface area of absorption. The mycorrhiza fungi help in the mineral uptake for the plant. The plant provides shelter and protection to the fungus. The fungus also obtains sugars from the plant.

Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and roots of higher plants. Mycorrhizae present in the soil help in the uptake of minerals from soil. These organisms also help in the binding of roots to the soil. Since it is active transport in the roots, the mycorrhizae help in this active transport of minerals.

Symbiosis describes close interactions between two or more different species. In symbiotic relationship, the two species benefits. A mycorrhiza is defined as a symbiotic relationship between the roots of plants and fungi. The fungal symbiont gets shelter and food from the plant which, in turn, acquires an array of benefits such as better uptake of phosphorus, salinity and drought tolerance, maintenance of water balance, and overall increase in plant growth and development.

VAM (Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza) is defined by the presence of symbiotic fungi that form arbuscules and vesicles within plant roots.

The fungi involved in VAM (endomycorrhiza) belong to the order Glomerales, which were formerly classified under Zygomycetes.

Ectomycorrhiza is a well-known symbiotic association where the fungus forms a mantle around the root, common in many forest trees.

The cortex is only one cell thick and these cells are packed with fungal hyphae. The nutrient exchange between the fungus and plant takes place at this interface and is extremely efficient

In ectomycorrhiza, the fungal hyphae form a mantle around the root and grow between the cortical cells (intercellularly) without penetrating the cell walls. Endomycorrhiza (including VAM) involves intracellular penetration.

The ectomycorrhiza is an association that takes place at the surface of the roots whereas the endomycorrizal fungi penetrate into the root cortex and form arbuscules within the root cells.

Full form of VAM is Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza. It is formed by the symbiotic association between certain phycomycetous fungi and angiosperm roots. Thus VAM is a mycorrhiza.

Symbiotic association between roots of higher plants and fungi is termed as mycorrhiza.

Fungi forms symbiotic association with roots of higher plants, known as mycorrhizae. When fungal hyphae penetrate through cortex cells of root, these are called as Endomycorrhizae. These are also called vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae or VAM, because cortical cells swell and form vesicles or arbuscles. it has significant role in phosphorus nutrition in plants. hence, Option A is correct. 

Mycorrhiza is an association between a fungus and the root of the higher plant, for example, pinus, eucalyptus etc.