Active fungi in root

Active fungi growing along the surface and within the tissue of a plant root as seen under fluorescent microscopy. This is probably an early stage of colonization of a section of root by a species of beneficial vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae, or "VAM" fungus that will form a symbiotic relationship with the root. Where the VAM is present, that portion of the root will be protected from root rot fungi and parasitic nematodes.

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