Aggregation of soil by fungal hyphae
Date
1997
Authors
Tisdall, J.
Smith, S.
Rengasamy, P.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Soil Research, 1997; 35(1):55-60
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
DOI
Abstract
<jats:p>
Several authors have proposed that soils are made up of aggregates of various
sizes, stabilised by different organic and inorganic materials. Fungal hyphae
have been shown to bind microaggregates (<250 µm diameter) into
macroaggregates (>250 µm diameter). This paper examines the
aggregation of soil clay by saprophytic
(Rhizoctonia solani and
Hyalodendron sp.) and mycorrhizal
(Hymenoscyphus ericae and Hebeloma
sp.) fungi. The results support the hypothesis that fungal hyphae bring
mineral particles and organic materials together to form stable
microaggregates at least <2µm, and enmesh microaggregates into stable
aggregates >50 µm diameter.
</jats:p>