Final answer:
A mutualistic relationship between fungi and plant roots is known as mycorrhiza. In this symbiotic association, the fungi extend the roots' reach for water and minerals, while the plants supply the fungi with carbohydrates. This interaction benefits both organisms and is vital for the health of ecosystems and agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
“Fungus-roots,” or a mutualistic relationship between fungi and plant roots, is referred to as mycorrhiza. This biological term comes from the Greek words “myco,” meaning fungus, and “rhizo,” meaning root. Mycorrhizae are formed by the association of the fungal mycelia with the vascular plant roots, an interaction almost ubiquitous in nature with around 90% of all vascular plant species having such partners.
The mycorrhizal association is an elegant solution to the plants' and fungi's nutritional needs. The fungi extend the root's surface area and enhance the uptake of water and minerals from the soil, which are vital for the plant's growth. In turn, the plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates produced via photosynthesis since fungi cannot produce their energy. Both the plant and fungus benefit from this symbiotic relationship, making it a classic example of mutualism.
A similar partnership can be seen in legumes, where mycorrhizae aid in nitrogen fixation, which is crucial for plant nutrition. Thus, mycorrhizal relationships are an essential component of healthy ecosystems and agriculture, with mycorrhizal inoculants being used to promote organic farming methods.