Endomycorrhizae with DIC light

This is a segment of a feeder root of a plant as seen through the microcope. The blue structures within the root are the nutrient absorbing part of a symbiotic fungus that lives partially within the root cells of host plants. These fungi and called vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae, or "VAM" and should be found colonizing a large percent of the root system of most plants. These VAM fungi bring phosphorus, other minerals and water from the soil to the root and protect the root from parasitic nematodes and root rot fungi. Many agriculutural soils that have received high inputs of chemicals are deficient in this component of the soil foodweb.

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