Why are mycorrhizal fungi superior to plants at acquiring mineral nutrition from the soil?

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Mycorrhizal fungi have several advantages over plants when it comes to acquiring mineral nutrition from the soil. The hyphae of fungi are much smaller than plant roots, allowing them to explore a larger volume of soil and access nutrients that may be out of reach for roots. Fungi also secrete extracellular enzymes that can break down large molecules, including organic matter, and release nutrients that plants can use. Finally, fungi can transport compounds through their mycelium from areas of surplus to areas of need, ensuring that nutrients are distributed efficiently throughout the fungal network and to the plant host. All of these factors make mycorrhizal fungi superior to plants when it comes to acquiring mineral nutrition from the soil.

Why Are Mycorrhizal Fungi Superior to Plants at Acquiring Mineral