Dictionary MAIN PAGE Text & Grap

Ectomycorrhizae - There are two basic types of mycorrhizae: those in which fungal cells infect the outermost cells of the mycorrhizae and those in which fungal cells infect all the cells of the mycorrhizae internally. Those that have infections primarily in the outermost cells are called ectomycorrhizae. Those that have all cells infected internally are called endomycorrhizae. As is the case most of the time in natural systems, gradations from one extreme to another usually exist. Those structures that have some characteristics between the two types given are called ectendomycorrhizae. Ectomycorrhizal fungi often are the major inhabitants of conifer forest soils. See "Troubles in the Rhizosphere".