Summarized from "Soils in Our Environment", 11th edition, Copyright 2008:

Mycorrhizae are mutualistic associations between plant roots and fungi. In mutualism, both the member of the relationship (the plant and the fungi) benefit from the relationship. In a typical mycorrhizae relationship, the plant transmits organic substances to the fungi, and the fungi transmit nutrients and water to the plant's roots. The fungi extends what are called hyphae into the soil which can extend the length of a root 100-fold and can increase root mass by as much as 800%. The hyphae also help absorb nutrients, particularly phosphate, zinc copper, and molybdenum. Certain mycorrhizae also form a protective sheath around roots, and can increase tolerance to drought, high temperatures, and infection by fungal disease.

There are tow kinds of mycorrhizae - Ectomycorrhizal, (Ecto meaning outside) and Endomycorrhizal (Endo meaning inside). Ecto sheath the host root, and penetrate between the cells of the root's cotex where as endo penetrate into the host cells. Some of the hyphae of the endo form abruscular mycorrhizae (AM) which are particularly helpful in phosphate absorption. Endo are the most common form found on plants.

Benefits from myccorhizae have been shown in all major plant families except mustard. Regular applications of these fungi has also been shown to boost yield and increase disease resistance in most crops.
Blaze21 Reviewed by Blaze21 on . Mycorrhizae Information Summarized from "Soils in Our Environment", 11th edition, Copyright 2008: Mycorrhizae are mutualistic associations between plant roots and fungi. In mutualism, both the member of the relationship (the plant and the fungi) benefit from the relationship. In a typical mycorrhizae relationship, the plant transmits organic substances to the fungi, and the fungi transmit nutrients and water to the plant's roots. The fungi extends what are called hyphae into the soil which can extend the length Rating: 5