ABSTRACT
Acknowledgments ..................................................................................................................... 142
References ................................................................................................................................... 142
Plant species whether in natural ecosystems or in agroecosystems function under the
influence of other organisms, particularly soil microorganisms. The roots of plants are
inhabited by myriad soil microorganisms that live in parasitic, pathogenic, saprophytic,
and/or mutualistic relationships with them. Among the mutualistic associations that
plants form with soil microorganisms, giving benefit to both species, the most widespread
geographically and botanically are mycorrhizas.