Mycorrhiza Overview

The word "mycorrhizae" literally means "fungus-roots" and defines the close mutually beneficial relationship between specialized soil fungi (mycorrhizal fungi) and plant roots.

Mycorrhiza is a soil microbe that grows out from the plant roots, providing an extension of the root system. This microbial network brings in 90% of the minerals and water that the plant needs to grow and flower.

About 95% of the world’s land plants form the mycorrhizal relationship in their native habitats. It is estimated that mycorrhizal fungal filaments explore hundreds to thousands more soil volume compared to roots alone.

The mycorrhizal fungi excrete powerful chemicals that dissolve mineral nutrients, absorb water, retard soil pathogens, and glue soil particles together into porous structure. In return, the mycorrhizal fungi receive sugars and other compounds from plants to fuel mycorrhizal activities.

Both agricultural plant and fungus benefit from the "symbiotic relationship". Research has documented improved plant nutrient and water uptake and resistance to a wide range of environmental extremes. Plants establish and yield more abundantly and require less intensive care. This is a major reason why plants from natural undisturbed areas can thrive without irrigation, fertilizer and pesticides.

Mycorrhiza formation has also been shown to confer drought and disease resistance, reduce pest damage and nematode infection, promote seed production, and increase the fitness of plant offspring.


The two most common types of mycorrhizas are the ectomycorrhizas (ECTO) and the endomycorrhizas (ENDO) (more commonly known as arbuscular mycorrhizas). The two groups are differentiated by the fact that the hyphae of ectomycorrhizal fungi do not penetrate the cell wall of the plant's root cells, while the hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi penetrate the cell wall.