• Mycorrhiza is most common in non-cultivated land.a field with field colors image by Tatiana from Fotolia.com
  
  Although fungus often gets a bad wrap, many fungi are beneficial to plant and animal life. Mycorrhizal fungi are found in soil and have been found to increase plant growth and fruit yield. They develop threadlike hairs called hyphae that clutch onto plant roots or invade plant root cells. The fungi have a symbiotic relation with plants, which means that they have a mutual advantage when they are associated. Gardeners and farmers sometimes add mycorrhiza to soil to reap its many benefits.
  
  

Increased Nutrient Uptake

• Soil that is rich with mycorrhiza may allow plants to access more nutrients. According to Pennsylvania State University's Crop Soil Department, the fungi can extend beyond nutrient poor zones that often surround plant roots and transfer nutrients such as zinc, phosphorus and copper. Many of these nutrients are non-mobile, meaning that they do not redistribute themselves in soil, so mycorrhiza's ability to reach out to these areas can be crucial for plant development.
  
  

Improved Root Growth

• According to Bunch Grapes online, studies have shown that ectomycorrhizal fungi, which attach to the outside of plant roots rather than penetrating root cells, have the potential to double plant root growth. The fungi stimulate root growth, leading to stronger root systems that are able to better endure transplant and drought.
  
  

Disease and Pest Prevention

• Plants that grow with mycorrhiza tend to be less prone to disease and pest problems. According to Granite Seed online, the hyphae that attach to plant roots guard the roots from troublesome pests, and the improved general health of the plant makes it less prone to disease. A further benefit of this decrease in pests and disease is less need for pesticides, which can be both costly and damaging to the environment.