Fungi form symbiotic association with the roots of higher plants called mycorrhiza (VAM), e.g, Glomus. The fungal hyphae symbiont in these associations absorb phosphorus from soil and passes it to the plant. Plants having such associations show other benefits also, such as resistance to root-borne pathogens, tolerance to salinity and drought, and an overall increase in plant growth and development. Mycorrhiza does not help the host plant in increasing its resistance to insects.

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