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# Bacteria And Mycorrhizal Fungi Bacteria need help; they do not move back and forth from minerals to the roots. Most minerals found in the soil are located outside the reach of the roots, and therefore are also out of the reach of rhizobacteria. Rhizobacteria can only live near the roots. The zon...

# Bacteria And Mycorrhizal Fungi Bacteria need help; they do not move back and forth from minerals to the roots. Most minerals found in the soil are located outside the reach of the roots, and therefore are also out of the reach of rhizobacteria. Rhizobacteria can only live near the roots. The zone of absorption is limited. **Mycorrhizal fungi drastically increase this absorption capacity.** ## Mycorrhizal Fungi Mycorrhizal fungi have always existed. Due to modernization, their role has been neglected. Mycorrhizae is only sporadically found in agricultural soils. **Mycorrhizal fungi live in a symbiotic relation with the plant roots.** Mycorrhizal fungi form a living connection within the roots and create an absorption and transport system. This is essential for healthy plant growth. Mycorrhiza in the root is just as normal as chlorophyll in the leaves. The absorption roots of plants are 0.2 millimeters thick. This means they can only grow in macropores. ## How Mycorrhizal Fungi Help Plants Mycorrhizal fungal threads are thinner than most bacteria. They are only as thick as three microns. These small threads grow easily in the micropores where the majority of nutrients and water are stored. Without help, a plant would never be able to reach these areas. The fungal threads are responsible for the absorption of nutrients and water. The long thin fungal hyphae that fully take over the absorption of materials from the roots are able to provide disease resistance. Distantly located minerals that are bound to iron and calcium are now easier to absorb. These thin threads, or hyphae, can easily be a kilometer long in just one teaspoon of soil. **Mycorrhizal fungi can cause absorption capacity to be seven times higher on average.** This means that growing can be done with less water, and that weeds have a far less chance to thrive due to competition for space.