What is the Difference Between Ectomycorrhizal and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi?

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are two types of mycorrhizal fungi that form symbiotic relationships with host plants. The main differences between them are:

1. Host selection: ECM fungi are highly specific in selecting host plants, while AM fungi are less specific.
2. Nutrient acquisition strategies: AM fungi scavenge for nutrients released by saprotrophic microbes, whereas ECM fungi mineralize nutrients from organic matter and can access some forms of organic nitrogen directly.
3. Root interaction: ECM fungi ensheath the root cells of the host plants, while AM fungi penetrate and enter the root cells.
4. Abundance: ECM fungi make up roughly 10% of all known mycorrhizal symbionts, while AM fungi are considered the oldest mycorrhizal group to have evolved.
5. Nutrient exchange: ECM fungi can access nitrogen directly from organic matter, while AM fungi rely on scavenging nutrients released by saprotrophic microbes.

In summary, ectomycorrhizal fungi form sheaths around root cells and are highly specific in their host plants, while arbuscular fungi penetrate root cells and are less specific in their host selection. Both types of fungi aid plants in nutrient acquisition, but they employ different strategies to achieve this.

Comparative Table: Ectomycorrhizal vs Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (Am) fungi are two types of mycorrhizal fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots to enhance nutrient uptake. Here is a table comparing the differences between these two types of fungi:

Both types of fungi belong to the kingdom fungi and subkingdom dikaryon, and they play crucial roles in enhancing the nutrient uptake of their host plants.