GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -The symbiotic association between fungi and plants are called as mycorrhiza in which fungi absorbs phosphorus from soil which is then used by plants as nutrients. Hence, mycorrhiza can be used as biofertilisers. The fungi which belongs to genus Glomus forms mycorrhiza.

Detailed explanation-2: -Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) constitute a group of root obligate biotrophs that exchange mutual benefits with about 80% of plants. They are considered natural biofertilizers, since they provide the host with water, nutrients, and pathogen protection, in exchange for photosynthetic products.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mycorrhizal fungi play an important role in phosphorus nutrition of plants. Most of the phosphorus is present in the soil in fixed form, which is unavailable to plants. Mycorrhizal fungi have the ability to solubilize the phosphorus present in fixed form, thus making it available to plants.

Detailed explanation-4: -Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are the most common such microorganisms. AMF and PGPB, and especially the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria subgroup (PSB), are known to help overcome P deficiency in plants.

Detailed explanation-5: -Mycorrhizal roots have a greater capacity to take up phosphate (Pi) from the soil solution than non-mycorrhizal root tips. Factors that contribute to this include the extent of extraradical hyphal penetration of soil and the physiology and biochemistry of the fungal/soil and fungal/plant interfaces.