Ectomycorrhiza

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An ectomycorrhiza (from Ancient Greek ἐκτός (ektós) 'outside', μύκης (múkēs) 'fungus' and ῥίζα (rhíza) 'root'; abbreviated EcM; pl. ectomycorrhizae or ectomycorrhizas) is a form of symbiotic relationship that occurs between a fungal symbiont, or mycobiont, and the roots of various plant species. The mycobiont is often from the division Basidiomycota and Ascomycota, and more rarely from the Zygomycota. Ectomycorrhizae form on the roots of around 2% of plant species, usually woody plants, including species from the birch, dipterocarp, myrtle, beech, willow, pine and rose families. Research on ectomycorrhizae is increasingly important in areas such as ecosystem management and restoration, forestry, and agriculture. Unlike other mycorrhizal relationships, such as arbuscular mycorrhiza and ericoid mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhizal fungi do not penetrate their host's cell wall. Instead they form an entirely intercellular interfaces known as the Hartig net, consisting of highly branched hyphae forming...

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