
For mycorrhiza are a particular type of symbiotic association between a fungus and a higher plant located in the root of the plant symbiont, and extends, by means of hyphae or more complex structures such as rhizomorphs in the rhizosphere and surrounding soil. These are symbiotic, in most cases, a mutual, so the two organizations carry out their life cycle living in close contact and mutual benefitting, either in nutritional and otherwise.
mycorrhizal associations are an enigma to most ecologists, and even the experts find it difficult to admit to not having yet grasped the immense variety of types and roles, both in natural ecosystems than in those modified by man.
The first studies were conducted in Germany in the late nineteenth century by Albert Bernhard Frank, a forest pathologist who described for the first time the structure and functioning of this vital symbiotic relationship between trees and fungi called mykorhiza. The main structural character that Frank was able to observe, was the constant presence of a sort of covering, or coat, made of a woven hyphal, on root tips. Frank also noted that these structures are always present in the root systems of Vegetative plants in natural environments.
During subsequent studies were identified two types of mycorrhizae:
the ectomycorrhizal also known as mycorrhizae ectotrofiche), characteristics of most woody angiosperms and conifers, in which we can see an external fungal mantle covering the root tips;
- the endomycorrhizal (also known as mycorrhizae endotrofiche), more widely (even among the herbaceous species), not with a fungal mantle and demonstrators outside a certain degree of intracellular colonization by hyphae.
mycorrhizal associations are an enigma to most ecologists, and even the experts find it difficult to admit to not having yet grasped the immense variety of types and roles, both in natural ecosystems than in those modified by man.
The first studies were conducted in Germany in the late nineteenth century by Albert Bernhard Frank, a forest pathologist who described for the first time the structure and functioning of this vital symbiotic relationship between trees and fungi called mykorhiza. The main structural character that Frank was able to observe, was the constant presence of a sort of covering, or coat, made of a woven hyphal, on root tips. Frank also noted that these structures are always present in the root systems of Vegetative plants in natural environments.
During subsequent studies were identified two types of mycorrhizae:
the ectomycorrhizal also known as mycorrhizae ectotrofiche), characteristics of most woody angiosperms and conifers, in which we can see an external fungal mantle covering the root tips;
- the endomycorrhizal (also known as mycorrhizae endotrofiche), more widely (even among the herbaceous species), not with a fungal mantle and demonstrators outside a certain degree of intracellular colonization by hyphae.
Classification
A first distinction, which is similar to that of endomycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal outdated, it can be made between mycorrhizas involving endophytic fungi with septate hyphae not belonging the phylum Glomeromycota and mycorrhizas formed by fungi with septate hyphae belonging to different orders of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes.
Regarding symbiotic plants, they are so numerous and diverse in terms of taxonomic classification that is often difficult. We must also consider the type of mycorrhiza formed can be influenced by the identity both the plant and the fungus, so that, for example, the same fungus can form different types of mycorrhiza, depending on the plant involved.
vesicular-arbuscular Mycorrhizae
Also known as VA mycorrhizae or VAM, are characteristic of members of the phylum Glomeromycota. The main distinctive character of this group lies in the ability of fungi to produce specific structures, called arbuscules, within plant cells compatible.
symbiotic plants, in this type of mycorrhizae, belong essentially all phyla: Bryophyta, almost all groups of Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae and all of the groups most the families of the Angiospermae.
A first distinction, which is similar to that of endomycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal outdated, it can be made between mycorrhizas involving endophytic fungi with septate hyphae not belonging the phylum Glomeromycota and mycorrhizas formed by fungi with septate hyphae belonging to different orders of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes.
Regarding symbiotic plants, they are so numerous and diverse in terms of taxonomic classification that is often difficult. We must also consider the type of mycorrhiza formed can be influenced by the identity both the plant and the fungus, so that, for example, the same fungus can form different types of mycorrhiza, depending on the plant involved.
vesicular-arbuscular Mycorrhizae
Also known as VA mycorrhizae or VAM, are characteristic of members of the phylum Glomeromycota. The main distinctive character of this group lies in the ability of fungi to produce specific structures, called arbuscules, within plant cells compatible.
symbiotic plants, in this type of mycorrhizae, belong essentially all phyla: Bryophyta, almost all groups of Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae and all of the groups most the families of the Angiospermae.
ectomycorrhizal fungus primarily affects ascomycetes and basidiomycetes (about 6000 species) and plants shrubs and trees (about 5% of Spermatophytes to an estimated 8000 species). Among the most common form ectomycorrhizal fungi that are cited:
- Basidiomycetes
- Ascomycetes
- zygomycetes
In these associations, the fungus forms a structure called the mantle or micoclena, which surrounds the root tips. Externally it emanating hyphae in soil in individual or aggregated structures called rhizomorphs. The hyphae also penetrate to the interior between the epidermal cells forming radical a complex intercellular system, which appears in section as a network of hyphae called lattice Hartig. However, there is little or no intracellular penetration.
The particular importance of ectomycorrhizal forest sector is due to the fact that they cover the majority of the Pinaceae, Fagaceae of the (very common in temperate forests) and Myrtaceae, as well as many other families containing important tree species.

endomycorrhizal
possesses many of the characteristics of the ectomycorrhizal, but also exhibit a high ability to penetrate cells. They mostly affect the seedlings of some conifers (Mainly Pinus spp.) And are characterized by a network of Hartig rather crude, a sleeve of thin or absent, and the fact that, especially in older parts of roots, the cells are invaded by bundles of hyphae.
Nutritional
In most types of mycorrhizae nutritional exchanges consist essentially in the movement of organic carbon from the plant to the fungus and, in the opposite direction of nutrients (as P, N, and Zn Cu) in organic or inorganic, to the plant. The functionality of mycorrhizal systems depends on the point:
- the transfer, in most mycorrhizal types of Organic C derived from photosynthesis by the plant to the various fungal structures (mycelium, spores and fruiting bodies in developing countries);
- the ability of the fungal symbionts to pick up the available nutrients in inorganic form and / or organic soil and transfer them to plant through one or more symbiotic interfaces.
The mycelium which departs from the colonized roots plays a key role in the absorption of water and nutrients by plants, particularly in proliferating richest areas of competing effectively with other substances and microorganisms in the soil. Some differences may be found, among other categories mycorrhizal fungi in the ability of symbionts to capture a greater or lesser number of different elements from the soil. The continuous search of nutrients by the fungus leads to an increase substantially the total area of \u200b\u200bthe root system of plant and soil volume explored, which led to a general increase in the competitiveness of these plants in natural systems.

Importance
The importance of mycorrhizae not only reduces the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil. Mycorrhizal plants often appear more competitive and more tolerant of environmental stress than non-mycorrhizal plants, even for reasons related to:
- Acquisition of nutrients in forms not normally available to plants (eg N in organic compounds);
- ability to reduce the presence of phenolic compounds and toxic metals in soil;
- protection against water stress;
- protection against of parasitic fungi and nematodes;
- nutritional benefits not due, for example, production of phytohormones;
- accumulation of nutrients;
At the ecosystem level, this translates into an important influence:
- on the rhizosphere microbial populations, through qualitative and quantitative changes of root exudates;
- on soil structure, which is improved;
In conclusion, the possibility mycorrhization of plants being planted, or the trees proved an important aid in the treatment and solution of various problems.
The importance of mycorrhizae not only reduces the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil. Mycorrhizal plants often appear more competitive and more tolerant of environmental stress than non-mycorrhizal plants, even for reasons related to:
- Acquisition of nutrients in forms not normally available to plants (eg N in organic compounds);
- ability to reduce the presence of phenolic compounds and toxic metals in soil;
- protection against water stress;
- protection against of parasitic fungi and nematodes;
- nutritional benefits not due, for example, production of phytohormones;
- accumulation of nutrients;
At the ecosystem level, this translates into an important influence:
- on the rhizosphere microbial populations, through qualitative and quantitative changes of root exudates;
- on soil structure, which is improved;
In conclusion, the possibility mycorrhization of plants being planted, or the trees proved an important aid in the treatment and solution of various problems.