The importance of fungi in plant life.

Fungi are heterotrophs, that is, they cannot synthesize organic substances on their own. But on the other hand, they have a well-developed mycelium, with the help of which they absorb a lot of mineral salts and water from the soil.

Many higher plants and fungi are symbionts, and some cannot even exist without each other. The hyphae of the fungus tightly braid the root of a tree, flower or fern and penetrate into it through the holes left over from dead root hairs. Water and mineral salts enter the root through the hyphae. Scientists have found that through this interaction, the plant receives fourteen times more water from the soil.