Enhancement of Food Production — BIOLOGY STD 12 Science — Question

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.