What is the Difference Between Parasitic Roots and Mycorrhizae?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between parasitic roots and mycorrhizae lies in the nature of their relationships with host plants and the benefits they provide.
Parasitic roots:
- Belong to parasitic plants that penetrate into host plant tissues.
- Form haustoria, which are peg-like projections that penetrate host tissues.
- Obtain nutrients and water from the host plant, but do not provide any benefits to the host.
- Examples include plants like Rafflesia, Cuscuta, and Viscum.
Mycorrhizae:
- referring to fungal roots or mycorrhizae, are symbiotic associations between a fungus and the roots of higher plants.
- Form arbuscules, vesicles, and hyphae mantle during the association.
- Provide nutrients and water to the plant while receiving sugars from the plant in return.
- Beneficial to both the fungus and the plant in a mutualistic relationship.
- Examples include most plant families, excluding Brassicaceae and Chenopodiaceae.
In summary, parasitic roots are adventitious roots of parasitic plants that penetrate and obtain nutrients from host plants without providing any benefits, while mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots that benefit both partners involved in the relationship.
Comparative Table: Parasitic Roots vs Mycorrhizae
Here is a table summarizing the differences between parasitic roots and mycorrhizae:
| Feature | Parasitic Roots | Mycorrhizae |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Parasitic roots are adventitious roots of parasitic plants that penetrate host plant tissues to obtain nutrients. | Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between a fungus and the roots of higher plants, where both partners benefit from the interaction. |
| Symbiosis Type | Parasitic, beneficial only to the parasite. | Mutualistic, beneficial to both partners. |
| Host Interaction | Parasitic roots penetrate host plant tissues and form haustoria to obtain nutrients. | Mycorrhizae form arbuscules, vesicles, and hyphae mantle during the association, with the fungus supplying water and nutrients to the plant while the plant provides sugars for the fungus. |
| Examples | Parasitic plants like Rafflesia and Hydnora. | Most plant families, excluding Brassicaceae and Chenopodiaceae. |
In summary, parasitic roots are adventitious roots that penetrate host plant tissues to obtain nutrients, while mycorrhizae are mutualistic associations between fungi and plant roots, benefiting both partners in the interaction.
- Root Nodules vs Mycorrhizae
- Mycorrhiza vs Coralloid Roots
- Lichen vs Mycorrhizae
- Ectomycorrhizal vs Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
- Ectomycorrhizae vs Endomycorrhizae
- Hyphae vs Mycelium
- Saprophytes vs Parasites
- Fungi vs Parasites
- Saprophytic vs Symbiotic Plants
- Myxomycota vs Eumycota
- Parasitism vs Mutualism
- Epiphytes vs Parasites
- Commensalism vs Parasitism
- Tap Root vs Fibrous Root
- Myxomycota vs Oomycota
- Rhizoids vs Rhizomes
- Parasite vs Parasitoid
- Insectivorous vs Symbiotic Plants
- Worms vs Parasites