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Mycorrhizas: A context for species siting and management?
Authors: Murray DavisPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2008, Issue N.Z.J.For. 53(1) 2008, pp 12-15, May 2008
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: A mycorrhiza is an association between soil fungus and a plant root. Most vascular plants form mycorrhizal associations in which the fungus benefits from photosynthetically derived carbon compounds (Smith and Read 1997). In return, the plant gains the use of the fungal mycelium’s very large surface area and small diameter that allows penetration of much finer soil pores than root hairs, to absorb water and mineral nutrients from the soil (Allen 1991). Additionally, mycorrhizal plants are often more resistant to diseases, such as those caused by microbial soil-borne pathogens.