Question

Rook in some Gymnospeums have fungal and algal association. Give examples, their names and role in plants.

Answer 1

Dear student,

Coralloid root of cycas have symbiotic association with the blue green algae Anabaena cycadae. Cycas provides source of carbon to the blue green algae and in return it provides nitrogen to the plant by nitrogen fixation. Pinus roots have mycorrhizal association of Suillus tomentosus a basidiomycetes. Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association of fungus with the roots of higher plants. Fungus takes minerals and water from soil and supplies to plants in return fungus gets carbohydrate from the pinus plant.

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