arbuscular mycorrhizal association
arbuscular mycorrhizal association
A form of mutualism between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant, where hyphae of the fungus penetrate the plant cell wall and invaginate its cell membrane. Once inside, the fungus forms highly branched structures for nutrient exchange with the plant called arbuscules. Aids in the acquisition by the plant of nutrients such as phosphorus from the soil.