This document discusses mycorrhizae, which are symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots. It describes the different types of mycorrhizae including endomycorrhizae, ectomycorrhizae, and ectendomycorrhizae. Applications of mycorrhizae include increasing nutrient uptake, plant diversity, and resistance to diseases and drought. The document also discusses methods for isolating and mass producing mycorrhizal fungi for use as biofertilizers to improve soil health and crop yields.

2. Presented By-
Nischitha R.
1st M.Sc., 2nd Semester.

3. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Types of mycorrhizae
• Mycorrhizal biofertilizer
• Applications of mycorrhizae
• Conclusion
• References

4. Introduction :
Mycorrhizae are mutualistic symbiotic associations
formed between the roots of higher plants and fungi.
It is an Greek word, mykes: mushroom or fungi; rhiza:
root.
Fungal roots were discovered by the German botanist
A B Frank in the last century (1855) in forest trees such
as pine.
In nature approximately 90% of plants are infected
with mycorrhizae. 83% Dicots,79% Monocots and 100%
Gymnosperms.
Convert insoluble form of phosphorous in soil into
soluble form.

5. Types of mycorrhizae :
On the basis of morphological and anatomical
features, mycorrhizae are divided into the three
types.
1. Endomycorrhizae
2. Ectomycorrhizae
3. Ectendomycorrhizae
Endomycorrhizae further classified in to five types.
1. VAM fungi (vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae)
2. Orchidoid mycorrhizae
3. Monotropoid mycorrhizae
4. Ericoid Mycorrhizae
5. Arbutoid mycorrhizae

6. Endomycorrhizae :
It is a mycorrhizal
association in which the
fungal hyphae are present
on root surface as
individual threads that
may penetrate directly
into root hairs, other
epidermal cells & into
cortical cells.

7. VAM fungi (Vesicular Arbuscule mycorrhizae) :
Fungi formed VAM
association with plants
may belongs to
ascomycetes ,
basidiomycetes and
zygomycetes.
All VAM fungi are
obligate biotrophic, as
they are completely
dependent on plants
for their survival.

8. Orchidoid Mycorrhizae :
Fungi belongs to basidiomycotina and colonize only
member of family orchidaceae. This association is
probably pseudomycorrhizal but play an important role
in establishment of orchid seedlings.
Ericoid Mycorrhizae :
Fungal members are usually basidiomycetous and
Ascomycotina. This is found in roots of plants belonging
to order ericales. Rootlets are covered by a loosely
woven mesh of dark brown septate hyphae from which
branches penetrate the cortical cells.

9. Arbutoid Mycorrhizae :
Arbutoid mycorrhizal associations are variants of
ectomycorrhizae found in certain plants in the ericaceae
characterized by hyphae coils in epidermal cells.
A major difference between the arbutoid and
ectomycorrhizal association is that the hyphae of the
former actually penetrate the outer cortical cells and fill
them with coils.
Monotropoid Mycorrhizae :
The fungi belong to basidiomycotina, colonizing
achlorophyllous members of angiosperms belonging to
family monotropaceae. Fungal sheath present.

10. Ectomycorrhizae :
e Ectomycorrhizae (ECM) are
association, where fungi form a
mantle around roots. There is
no hyphal penetration of cells.
Fungal hypha is generally
separate. A distinct Hartig’s net
is present between the cells..

11. Ectendomycorrhizae :
The fungi belong to Basidiomycotina, which covers
both gymnosperms and Angiosperms plants.
Ectendomycorrhizae show many of the same
characteristics’ of Endomycorrhizae but also show
extensive intercellular penetration.
The formation of Ectendomycorrhizae begins with
formation of a hartig’s net, which grows behind the
apical meristem of the growing root. The hartig net
penetrates between the epidermal and outer cortical
cells and later extends to the inner cortex.

12. Mycorrhizal biofertilizer :
i. Isolation
a. Sieving method
b. Floatation method
ii. Mass production

13. Soil sample + sterile water
Hot water
Filter and sieve
( 719μm → 250μm → 50μm → 45μm )
Spores separated from soil particles
Mix with carrier material
Use when required as biofertilizer
i) A ) Sieving method :

14. B ) Floatation method :
Soil sample + sterile water
Separate the soil particles using
membrane filter
Centrifuge
( Density gradient centrifuge = at 3000rpm
for 30 min )
Spores separated from soil particles
Mix with carrier material
Use when required as biofertilizer

15. ii) Mass production :
Spores + antibiotic solution
( streptomycin of 220 ppm concentration for 15 min )
Wash spores with mercuric chloride
Wash with distilled water
Inoculate the plant pots ( Guinea grass or Bahiya
grass )
Keep in green house for 3 - 4 weeks
Uproot the plants Cont….

16. Cont….
Check for colonization
Again keep for field growth ( 1 – 1½ months )
Macerate the root
Check for moisture content ( only 5 % should be there)
Use as biofertilizer

17. Applications of Mycorrhizae :
Increase nutrient uptake of plant from soil.
• P nutrition and other elements: N, K, Ca, Mg, Zn,
Cu, S, B, Mo, Fe, Mn, Cl
Increase diversity of plant.
Produce uniform seedling.
Significant role in nutrient recycling.
More tolerant to adverse soil chemical constraints
which limit crop production.
Increase plant resistance to diseases and drought.
Stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
Improve soil structure.
• Stable soil aggregate – hyphal polysaccharides bind
and aggregate soil particles.

18. Cont…
Increases absorption of phosphate by crops.
uptake of zinc also increases.
Increases uptake of water from soil.
Increases uptake of sulphur from the soil
Increases the concentration of cytokinins and
chloroplast in plants.
They protect plants during stress condition.

20. Conclusion :
Mycorrhizal association is very essential for the plants
because it has several benefits like absorption of
nutrients, increases drought resistance, enhance plant
efficiency in absorbing water and nutrients from soil.
Especially, AM fungi are very useful in the agriculture
because it serves as biofertilizers as it helps in the
absorption of phosphorus, and other nutrient uptake.

21. References :
•N S subba Rao, Soil microorganisms and plant growth and 3rd edition. Oxford & IBH publishing co. Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, page no 287-296.
•Tanuja Sing, S S Purohit and Pradeep Pairhar, Soil microbiology. Agrobios (India), page no 383-405.
•S B Sullia and S Shantharam, General microbiology, 2nd edition, Oxford & IBH publishing co. Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, page no 286-291.
•Himadri Panda and Dharamvir Hota, Biofertilizers and organic farming, 2007 gene- Tech books New Delhi, page no 147-187.
•Rangaswamy G and Bhagyaraj. Agricultural microbiology and 2nd edition. Prentice- hall of Indian private limited.
•Dr. H A Modi, Biofertilizers & organic forming, Aaviahkar publishers, Distrubutros jaipur 302003(Raj) India.
• Tanuja Sing, S S Purohit and Pradeep Pairhar, Soil
microbiology. Agrobios (India), page no 383-405.
• Himadri Panda and Dharamvir Hota, Biofertilizers and organic
farming, 2007 gene- Tech books New Delhi, page no 147-187.
• Rangaswamy G and Bhagyaraj. Agricultural microbiology and
2nd edition. Prentice- hall of Indian private limited.
• Dr. H A Modi, Biofertilizers & organic forming, Aaviahkar
publishers, Distrubutros jaipur 302003(Raj) India.
• N S subba Rao, Soil microorganisms and plant growth, 3rd
edition. Oxford & IBH publishing co. Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, page no
287-296.