Question

Aside from lichens, name another instance in the plant kingdom where fungi become intimately associated with green plants.

Answer 1

This type of association is a benefit for the areas where the soil lacks fertility. The soil does not have adequate nitrogen and phosphorus. This association is not found in areas where there is enough water and nutrients.

Complete answer:
Symbiosis is the ecological association that links two organisms that live together. The mutual symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant is known as Mycorrhiza. The term mycorrhizae explains the role of fungus in the plant root system, which is known as the rhizosphere. Mycorrhiza plays an important role in providing nutrition to the plant as well as to the soil.

The fungus smoothens water and nutrient reuptake in the plant and the plant, in turn, provides food and nutrients to the fungus. These nutrients are produced through photosynthesis. There are two types of mycorrhizae – ectomycorrhiza and endomycorrhiza. Ectomycorrhiza forms a symbiotic relationship between woody plants including Oak, Pine, etc. Endomycorrhizal has an exchange mechanism on the inner part of the root with the hyphae expanded outside the root. It includes crops and greenhouse plants like vegetables, grasses, flowers, etc.

Additional Information: Mycelia of the microorganism is very fine that they have the adequate surface area required for better absorption of water, phosphorus, and nitrogen. The plants which have associations with mycorrhiza are found to be more resistant to soil-borne diseases

Note: Every plant does not have a mycorrhizal association. The plants which grow in areas where water and nutrients are abundant do not require the assistance of mycorrhizal fungi. Also, mycorrhizal fungi do not grow and germinate in such conditions.