How plants and fungi trade resources without a brain
Summary
Scientists study how plants and fungi, like mycorrhizae, exchange resources without a brain. The fungi provide plants with nutrients like phosphorus in return for sugars and fats from the plants.Key Facts
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi create underground networks to connect with plants.
- These fungi and plants trade resources such as phosphorus and carbon-based sugars.
- Mycorrhizae are microscopic but abundant, with vast lengths in ecosystems.
- Dr. Toby Kiers has researched this fungi-plant relationship since her teenage years.
- She questions if fungi can act like economic traders, managing resources efficiently.
- Mycorrhizae interactions are found in 70 to 90% of plant species.
- Scientists view these interactions as cooperative, akin to sharing or trading resources.
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