How do ectomycorrhizal fungi affect plants?
Ectomycorrhizal fungi also have the potential to positively affect plant growth. Ectomycorrhizal fungi can change the growth form of plant roots by promoting root branching and restricting root extension. Ectomycorrhizal fungi can increase the uptake of phophorus by plant roots and some species of fungi also improve nitrogen uptake. They can decrease the susceptibility of the plant to disease and drought. The hyphal mantle over the surface of the roots can provide protection against the entry of pathogenic soil fungi and the hyphal network in soil surrounding roots allows water uptake from more soil. These effects on plant growth combine to make the associated plant more robust and increase its chances of survival.
