What is the role of mycorrhizae in plants?

Mycorrhizae play a crucial role in assisting plants with nutrient absorption from the soil. These symbiotic associations involve fungi that form a network with the plant's roots. They significantly increase the effective surface area of roots, allowing plants to take up water and essential nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium more efficiently. This enhanced nutrient uptake can lead to better plant growth and health, especially in nutrient-poor soils. The relationship is beneficial for both the plant and the mycorrhizal fungi, as the plant provides carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis to the fungi in return for the minerals and water absorbed from the soil, making this interaction a key factor in plant nutrition.