Underground fungal networks come into 3D view without disturbing plant roots
Symbioses between plants and fungi are essential for most plants.
Symbioses between plants and fungi are essential for most plants.
The short version
- Fungal structures known as mycorrhizae extend the area from which plants can draw water and nutrients from the soil.
- In return, plants supply the fungi with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis.
- Although the importance of this symbiosis has been known for decades, researchers have not previously been able to study the underground network in its natural structure.
What happened
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Symbioses between plants and fungi are essential for most plants.
Why it matters
The newly developed method is based on synchrotron computed tomography.
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