MYCORRHIZAE

Fungi and Gymnosperms form a symbiotic interaction known as mycorrhizae. Mycorrhiza is a fungus that has a mutually beneficial interaction with the roots of higher plants like Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. The mycorrhizal fungi acquire their food from the plant’s root cortical cells, and in turn, these mycorrhizal fungi offer the plant with more surface area, increasing its absorption capacity. In the roots of Pinus and Orchid plants, the mycorrhizal connection may be seen. We’ll dig deeper into the meaning of mycorrhizae after learning about it. We’ll also look into mycorrhizae, which are mostly made up of fungi and are associated with gymnosperms

Mycorrhizal Fungi 

One of the most significant components of this mycorrhizal connection is fungi. After Monera and Protista, Fungi is the third kingdom. Fungi have haploid bodies. They have a body structure that is thalloid. This indicates that their bodies are not divided into roots, stems, and leaves. All other fungi are multicellular except yeast, which is a unicellular fungus. Hyphae are elongated thread-like structures found in the bodies of fungi. Fungi thrive in warm, humid environments. They are cosmopolitan in nature, meaning they can be found in many environments, including the air, water, soil, and even the bodies of plants and animals. 

Their hyphae are septate and multinucleate in nature. Coenocytic hyphae is the name for this sort of hyphae. The majority of fungi, on the other hand, have distinct hyphae. Because the septum has pores, it is not a continuous structure. In ascomycetes, the simple pore is present, while in basidiomycetes, the dolipore septum is present. Fungi have chitin and fungal cellulose in their cell walls. It is mostly composed of the polysaccharide acetylglucosamine, which contains nitrogenous chemicals.

Cellulose is found in the cell walls of several fungi. The food resources that have been set aside are oil and glycogen. They have unicisternal Golgi bodies in them. They go through mitosis, during which the spindle fibers are generated intracellularly. With the presence of the digestive tract, the fungus have a heterotrophic method of nutrition. 

They also demonstrate the saprophytic, parasitic, and symbiotic feeding modes. There are two sorts of phases: vegetative and reproductive stages. Basidiomycetes are the most common mycorrhizal fungi, and one of them is Boletus. Fungi and plants by expanding the surface area available for mineral absorption. They also aid in enhancing the plant’s supply of nitrogen and phosphorus.

Gymnosperms

The other crucial component of the mycorrhizal connection is gymnosperms. These plants are connected with fungi, and they offer the mushrooms with shelter and food. Medium-sized trees, as well as plants and shrubs, make up the gymnosperms. Gymnosperm male and female gametophytes do not have a free-living existence. 

There is a diploid sporophytic phase in their life cycle. In gymnosperms, proper differentiation of roots, stems, and leaves is evident. Gymnosperm stems can be both branched and unbranched in nature. Gymnosperm leaves can be divided into two types: simple and complex. The gymnosperms have pinnate leaves as well. These gymnosperms also have vascular structures such as Xylem and Phloem.

They are heterosporous in nature. This indicates that their gametes are different sizes. In nature, the male gametophyte is smaller than the female gametophyte, while the female gametophyte is larger. The male and female organs of Gymnosperms can coexist in the same tree, as well as on distinct trees. Air current transports the pollen grains of these gymnosperms. These pollen make it to the opening of the ovules on the megasporophylls. After the fertilisation process, a zygote is formed. The smallest gymnosperm is Zamia, while the largest is Sequoia.

Mycorrhizae Types

The mycorrhiza is a structure developed by fungus and gymnosperms to form a symbiotic relationship. The fungus here is linked to the roots of higher plants. Gymnosperms and angiosperms are the most common, and this structure is known as mycorrhiza. The form of the mycorrhizal roots differs from that of regular roots. 

A fuzzy coating covers these roots. They also lack a root cap and root hairs. A fungus can create a relationship with a large number of plants, and numerous plants can form a relationship with the fungus. 

Mycorrhizae are divided into two categories based on their location: ectomycorrhizal and endomycorrhizal. The fungal component of ectomycorrhiza is the exterior. It develops a fuzzy layer on the roots’ exterior surface, which aids in the formation of a mycelium network. This network is created in the cortex’s intercellular spaces. The majority of fungal partners are basidiomycetes and zygomycetes. 

The hyphae are present in the tissues of the roots in endomycorrhiza. After that, it spreads both intracellularly and extracellularly. The fungus breaks the cell wall and enters the cortical region. It’s referred to as a symbiotic connection because it benefits both partners. The fungal component of the root relies on the cortical cells for food and shelter. The fungal components aid in the soil’s absorption of nitrogen, minerals, phosphorus, and water. If fungi are not present near the root of pine trees, their growth will be stunted.

Conclusion

Fungi and Gymnosperms form mycorrhizae, which is a symbiotic interaction. The fungus Mycorrhiza and the roots of higher plants like Gymnosperms and Angiosperms have a mutually beneficial interaction. The plant’s root cortical cells offer sustenance to the mycorrhizal fungi, which in turn provide surface area to the plant, increasing its absorption capacity. In the roots of Pinus and Orchid plants, mycorrhizal associations can be seen. We’ll go through the significance of mycorrhizae in greater detail after learning about it. We’ll also look into mycorrhizae, which are fungi that are linked to gymnosperms.