- A vascular plant has specialized tissues that transport water, food and minerals throughout the plant. Vascular plants use roots to extract minerals from water and soil. Two types of mycorrhizae fungi may form with vascular plant roots: ectomycorrhizae and arbuscular mycorrhizae. In each, the fungi obtains sugar from the plant in exchange for nutrients and water.
- In ectomycorrhizae, the fungi will clothe part of the root in a thick web or sheath; this web extends out into the soil and thereby increases the total surface area that can absorb water and minerals. As the fungi funnels water and minerals into the plant root, it obtains sugars in return. Fungi that form arbuscular mycorrhizae make contact with the root, then burrow a short distance inside. Superficially, they look a little like root hairs or tiny trees branching out from the root. These fungi also increase the rate of water and nutrient uptake and procure sugars in return.
- According to "Biology, 8th Edition", 80 percent of plant land species enjoy these types of mutualistic relationships with fungi. Many of humankind's most important crops---plants like corn, wheat and legumes---benefit from mycorrhizae, so the impact on human agriculture is tremendous though difficult to measure precisely.
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