A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a green plant and a fungus. The plant makes organic molecules by photosynthesis and supplies them to the fungus in the form of sugars or lipids, while the fungus supplies the plant with water and mineral nutrients, such as phosphorus, nitrogen, or zinc, [8] taken from the soil. Mycorrhiza is an international journal devoted to excellent research into mycorrhizas - the widest symbioses in nature, involving most plants and diverse soil fungi world-wide.

Understanding the Context

Articles cover topics ranging from molecule to ecosystem, through cell and plant, from fundamental to applied science. There are seven types of mycorrhizae: Endo (arbuscular), Ecto, Ectendo, Arbutoid, Monotropoid, Ericoid, and Orchidaceous. The establishment and growth of certain plants (e.g., citrus, orchids, pines) is dependent on mycorrhiza; other plants survive but do not flourish without their fungal symbionts. To be more specific, mycorrhizae are fungi that have a symbiotic relationship with the roots of many plants.

Key Insights

The fungi which commonly form mycorrhizal relationships with plants are ubiquitous in the soil. Many mycorrhizal fungi are obligately symbiotic and therefore are unable to survive in nature for extended periods of time without their host. In this viewpoint, we summarize recent advances that move the field toward a mechanistic understanding of mycorrhizal symbiosis, with a particular focus on studies presented at the 7 th International Molecular Mycorrhiza Meeting (iMMM) held in Munich in September 2025. Mycorrhiza refers to the typically symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a plant. These fungi either live inside the root tissues or on the root surface, forming a unique biological partnership.

Final Thoughts

Mycorrhiza is the mutualistic symbiotic association between certain kinds of fungi and the roots of vascular plants. Derived from Greek words ‘mukes’- fungus and ‘rhiza’- roots. Approximately 90% of the roots of plants were found to be associated with heterogeneous fungal taxa.