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Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae

Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae are mycorrhizae fungi that develop a symbolic interaction with roots and plants. Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae are essential to all plants because they deliver water and minerals. Let’s study the difference between them in detail.

The significant distinction between endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae is that in ectomycorrhizae, fungal hyphae do not pierce the cortical cells of the roots. Still, in endomycorrhizae, fungal hyphae pierce the plant roots’ cortical cells. Mycorrhizae is a vital symbiotic interaction between the fungus and higher plant roots. This collaboration helps both fungi and plants. Fungal hyphae enter the earth and offer fibre to the plants, while the plants also benefit from the fungus. As a result, it is an important link. Most significantly, fungal hyphae may expand some metres long and transport nutrients and water to the roots, particularly nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium.

Furthermore, the mycorrhizal connection guards the plant against root infections. As a result, signs of nutrient insufficiency are unlikely to emerge in plants involved in symbiotic relationships. Mycorrhizae are classified into two types: endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae.

Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae: Difference

Ectomycorrhizae

Ectomycorrhizae do not pierce further into plants, such as cortical cells. Vesicles and arbuscules are not formed by ectomycorrhizae. They are one of the most vital ingredients for plants since they give nutrients. Ectomycorrhizae hyphae create a sheath around the root from the outside. Ectomycorrhizae is a less common fungus. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota are the fungi involved in Ectomycorrhizae.

Endomycorrhizae

Endo mycorrhizae infiltrate deeper into plants, into the premotor cells. Arbuscules and vesicles are formed by endomycorrhizae. Orchids rely entirely on Endomycorrhizae for life. They are highly beneficial to a wide range of deserts and other plants. Endomycorrhizae may be found in more than 85% of cardiac plants.

Endomycorrhizae and Ectomycorrhizae: Similarities

  • Endomycorrhizae and Ectomycorrhizae are two forms of plant-fungal symbiotic relationships
  • Mycorrhizal connections enable plants to survive in poor soil and drought conditions by expanding the mineral absorption and root surface efficiency
  • Furthermore, neither interaction is harmful to the plants

Key Differences

  • Definition

Ectomycorrhizae is a fungi-plant symbiotic interaction. The fungus’s hyphae create a sheath around the exterior of the plant root and develop between the plant cells to exchange nutrients.

Endo mycorrhizae, on the other hand, refers to a symbiotic interaction between fungi and plants in which the fungus’s hyphae penetrate the cells of a plant root to exchange nutrients. As a result, this is the primary distinction between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.

  • Colonisation

Another distinction between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae is that ectomycorrhizae colonise extracellularly, while endomycorrhizae colonise intracellularly.

  • Occurrence

Furthermore, ectomycorrhizae are less prevalent than endomycorrhizae.

  • Phyla of Fungi

Endomycorrhizae is Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Zygomycota, whereas ectomycorrhizae are Glomeromycota.

  • Produce

Furthermore, ectomycorrhizae form a Hartig net connecting the cells in the root cortex, but endomycorrhizae form branching hyphae termed arbuscles within the root cortex. As a result, there is a distinction between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.

  • Types

Arbutoid mycorrhizae are ectomycorrhizae, while arbuscular, ericoid, and orchid mycorrhizae are endomycorrhizae.

Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae: Difference

Criteria of Difference

Ectomycorrhizae

Endomycorrhizae

Definition

Ectomycorrhizae are a form of mycorrhizal connection in which fungal hyphae do not penetrate deeply into the plant, i.e., the cortical cells

Endomycorrhizae is mycorrhizae that allow fungal hyphae to enter deep inside plants, such as cortical cells

Mantle of Hyphae

Ectomycorrhiza produces a hyphae mantle

Endomycorrhizae does not produce the hyphae mantle

Prevalence

Ectomycorrhiza is less common

Endomycorrhiza is more common

Arbuscules and vesicles

There are no vesicles or arbuscules

There are vesicles and arbuscules

Abundance

Ectomycorrhiza is less common (4 percent )

Endomycorrhiza is plentiful (80 percent )

Fungi are implicated

Ascomycota and Basidiomycota are the fungi involved in Ectomycorrhiza

Glomeromycota is the fungi involved in Endomycorrhiza

Plants as an Example

Pine trees, Cedrus, Arbies, Oak trees, beech trees, and so on

Almost 85% of vascular plants, such as orchids, shrubs, and foliage plants

Hartig Network

Ectomycorrhizae generates Hartig netting

Endomycorrhizae does not generate anything. Hartig netting

Conclusion

Ectomycorrhizae are mycorrhizal fungi that form a Hartig net around the roots of plants. As a result, it does not permeate the root’s cells. It does, however, create extracellular colonisation. Endomycorrhizae, on the other hand, is mycorrhizal fungi that penetrate the root cells. As a result, arbuscles establish intracellular colonisation. Therefore, the mechanism of colonisation is the primary distinction between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.

One of the most significant symbiotic connections between plants and fungus is mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae are classified into two types: ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae. Ectomycorrhizae are distinguished by forming a hyphae mantle and a Hartig net. The fungal hyphae do not enter the plant roots’ cortical cells. Endomycorrhizae, on the other hand, does not develop a hyphae mantle. They combine to generate vesicles and arbuscules.

Furthermore, their hyphae reach the cortical cells of plant roots. Endomycorrhizae is found in orchids, while ectomycorrhizae are found in pine trees. This is the distinction between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.

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Give examples of ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae?

Answer: Endomycorrhizal fungi grow primarily on green leafy plants, including most commercially cul...Read full

Give 5 similarities between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae?

Answer: Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae share specific characteristics, including: ...Read full

Q3. Which fungi are found in Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae?

Answer: Fungus is found in both Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota f...Read full

Q4. What is the function of the Hyphae Mantle?

Answer: Ectomycorrhiza generates hyphae mantle.  Ecto...Read full