Question 1

What are mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizal fungi are tiny living things that help plants grow. They team up with plants' roots to help them get nutrients from the soil.

Question 2

Why are mycorrhizal fungi important?

Accepted Answer

They help plants get the food and water they need to stay healthy. In return, plants give the fungi food that they make using sunlight.

Question 3

How do fungi and plants help each other?

Accepted Answer

Fungi help plants find nutrients in the soil that are hard to reach. The plants give fungi food they make from sunlight through a process called photosynthesis.

Question 4

Can plants survive without mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

Some plants can survive without them, but they grow much better and bigger with the fungi's help. The fungi make life easier for plants.

Question 5

Do all plants have mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

Not all plants have them, but many do. Over 90% of plants work together with mycorrhizal fungi.

Question 6

What do mycorrhizal fungi look like?

Accepted Answer

They are usually very tiny and look like thin threads in the soil. They are so small you can't see them without a microscope.

Question 7

Where do mycorrhizal fungi live?

Accepted Answer

They live underground where the plant roots are. They grow in the soil and around the roots of plants.

Question 8

How do fungi find plant roots?

Accepted Answer

Fungi send out tiny threads in the soil in search of plant roots. They are naturally good at finding roots to connect with.

Question 9

Do mycorrhizal fungi only help plants?

Accepted Answer

They mainly help plants, but they also help make the soil healthy. Healthy soil is good for other living things like worms and insects.

Question 10

Can you see mycorrhizal fungi above ground?

Accepted Answer

Usually, you can't see them because they live underground. However, some fungi produce mushrooms that you can see above ground.

Question 11

What would happen if plants didn't have mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

Plants might not grow as well or be as healthy. They would have a harder time finding the nutrients and water they need.

Question 12

Are mycorrhizal fungi in every type of soil?

Accepted Answer

They are found in many types of soil, but not all. They do best in soils that are not too wet or too dry.

Question 13

How long have mycorrhizal fungi been around?

Accepted Answer

They have been around for millions of years, ever since plants first appeared on land. They have been helping plants from the beginning.

Question 14

Can people help mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, people can help by not disturbing the soil too much and by planting a variety of plants. This makes the soil a better place for fungi to live.

Question 15

Do mycorrhizal fungi move?

Accepted Answer

They grow by spreading their threads through the soil, but they don't move like animals do. They stay close to plant roots to do their job.

Question 16

Can mycorrhizal fungi be harmful?

Accepted Answer

Most mycorrhizal fungi are not harmful. They are helpful partners for plants, but like everything, balance is key. Too much or too little might affect the plants.

Question 17

Do mycorrhizal fungi have enemies?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some bacteria or other fungi might try to take over their space. However, mycorrhizal fungi are usually good at holding their ground.

Question 18

What do mycorrhizal fungi eat?

Accepted Answer

They eat sugar and other nutrients that plants share with them. They get these from the plant roots they are attached to.

Question 19

Can you find mycorrhizal fungi everywhere in the world?

Accepted Answer

They are found all over the world, wherever there are plants. They are less common in very cold or very dry places.

Question 20

How can you tell if a plant has mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

It's hard to see them without special tools, but plants with healthy growth and good roots probably have mycorrhizal fungi helping them. Scientists can find them with microscopes.

The Wonders of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Relationships - 20 FAQs Explained Simply