Question 1

What are mycorrhizae?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizae are special fungi that live on and in plant roots. They help plants by finding water and nutrients in the soil.

Question 2

How do mycorrhizae help plants?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizae help plants by making it easier for them to get food and water from the soil. They extend like tiny threads that reach places the plant roots can't.

Question 3

What do mycorrhizae get from plants?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizae get food from plants in the form of sugars, which the plant makes during photosynthesis. It's like a trade where both the plant and the fungi benefit.

Question 4

Can mycorrhizae help plants grow taller?

Accepted Answer

Yes, by helping plants get more nutrients and water, mycorrhizae can help them grow bigger and stronger. This means plants with mycorrhizae might grow taller.

Question 5

Do all plants have mycorrhizae?

Accepted Answer

Not all plants have mycorrhizae, but many do. Most trees and many grasses have them, but some plants like certain water lilies do not.

Question 6

How do mycorrhizae find plant roots?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizae find plant roots because the roots release special chemicals into the soil. The fungi are attracted to these chemicals and grow towards the roots.

Question 7

Can mycorrhizae protect plants from diseases?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mycorrhizae can help protect plants from diseases by making the plant healthier and stronger. They also block harmful microbes from reaching the plant roots.

Question 8

Do mycorrhizae need sunlight?

Accepted Answer

No, mycorrhizae do not need sunlight because they don't make their own food. They get their food from the plant instead.

Question 9

Are there different types of mycorrhizae?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are different types of mycorrhizae that help different kinds of plants. Their jobs are similar, but they live with different plant families.

Question 10

Can mycorrhizae survive without plants?

Accepted Answer

No, mycorrhizae can't survive for long without plants because they need the sugars from plants to live. They rely on plants just like plants rely on them.

Question 11

How do scientists study mycorrhizae?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study mycorrhizae by looking at them under microscopes and performing experiments to understand how they help plants. They also study their DNA to learn more about them.

Question 12

Do farmers use mycorrhizae to grow crops?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some farmers add mycorrhizae to their fields to help their crops grow better. It's a natural way to improve plant health and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

Question 13

What happens if mycorrhizae disappear from the soil?

Accepted Answer

If mycorrhizae disappear, plants might struggle to get enough water and nutrients, which can cause them to grow poorly. The plant community might not be as healthy without them.

Question 14

Do mycorrhizae live in all kinds of soil?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizae live in many types of soil, but some soils are better for them than others. They prefer soil that isn't too dry or too wet and has lots of organic material.

Question 15

Can you see mycorrhizae with the naked eye?

Accepted Answer

Most of the time you can't see mycorrhizae with the naked eye because they are very tiny. You can usually only see them under a microscope.

Question 16

Do mycorrhizae help plants during droughts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mycorrhizae can help plants survive droughts by helping them find water deep in the soil. They make plants more resilient during dry times.

Question 17

How do mycorrhizae start their life?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizae start as spores, which are tiny seeds. When these spores land near a plant root, they grow and start connecting with the plant.

Question 18

Can mycorrhizae live with any type of plant?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizae usually live with specific types of plants they are best matched with. Not every mycorrhizal fungus can live with every kind of plant.

Question 19

Do mycorrhizae change the way the soil feels?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mycorrhizae can make the soil feel looser and richer as they break down organic matter, which is good for plant growth. They help improve soil structure.

Question 20

Are there any plants that don't like mycorrhizae?

Accepted Answer

Some plants don't form relationships with mycorrhizae, like certain families of aquatic plants. However, most land plants benefit from having mycorrhizae.

The Role of Mycorrhizae in Plant Health - 20 FAQs Explained Simply