Mycorrhizae help to facilitate the uptake of water and inorganic ions by plants
A mycorrhiza is an association between a fungus and a plant root.
Plural: mycorrhizae.
The fungus acts as an extension to the root system, massively increasing the surface area for water and inorganic ion uptake for the plant.
This is especially important for phosphate, which is a major limiting factor in plant growth due to the slower nature of the phosphorus cycle.
In return, the plant shares some of its carbohydrate with the fungus for respiration: a “mutualistic” relationship where both species benefit.
In a natural ecosystem, nutrients can be recycled by saprobiotic decomposition of dead material.
On a farm, crops are harvested and livestock are sent for slaughter. This removes nutrients from the area.
Fertiliser can be applied to the field to replenish the lost nutrients.
Natural “organic” fertilisers include manure (animal faeces). Organic fertilisers have the nitrogen and phosphorus locked up in carbon-containing compounds (organic means carbon-containing).
Inorganic nitrate and phosphate fertiliser can also be manufactured artificially
Fertilisers increase plant growth by, for example, providing more nitrate for making protein and more phosphate for making DNA.