ABSTRACT
16The mycorrhizal association between plant and fungi under certain circumstances is beneficial for both partners. The phosphorous present in the soil is the component of many important compounds like nucleic acids, phospholipids, inositol phosphates, and other metabolic intermediates. Instead of so many different forms of phosphorous present in the soil, the only form uptake by hyphae and root is orthophosphate in the form of H2PO4 ions. There are many ways for the acquisition of P from the soil. The direct uptake consists of Pi acquisition from the soil solution by plant root hairs and indirect pathway involves uptake via hyphae, its translocation via extra radical mycelium, release of P within roots by hyphae, and uptake of these P by root cells. The direct involvement of AMF and other soil microbes in the mineralization of organic phosphorous under nonsterile soil situations are still not clear.
