Fungi have a very important role in nature. Fungi break down and feed on decaying organic material or dead organisms. Fungi decompose the waste and remains of plants and animals. Fungi obtain nutrients by secreting digestive enzymes. The enzymes break down or digest the food. The nutrients are then released into the environment to be used by other organisms and the fungus itself. The nutrients are then returned to the environment as nitrogen and phosphorus. The fungus provides the plants with water and minerals.
Fungi, soil living bacteria help developing world farmers to better crop yields:UN 23 March 2006 – Fungi and soil-living bacteria, instead of artificial fertilizers, are improving crop yields, boosting harvests, and saving money for some developing world farmers, according to a United Nations project aimed at understanding and harnessing “below ground biodiversity” for sustaining, restoring and improving land fertility. Experts believe that below ground life forms represent the biggest source of untapped and unknown life on Earth and thus a potential source of new drugs up to pharmaceutical and industrial products. "Preliminary calculations indicate that the benefits in terms of inorganic fertilizer saved, in other words what would have been required to get the same yield, amounts to around $180 million a year, with Nigeria and South Africa seeing some of the biggest benefits”, said Jeroen Huising, the project’s coordinator at TSBF. "These preliminary findings underline not only the economic and environmental importance of below ground diversity but also the need to conserve it. Among the key findings emerging from all countries involved in this project is that intensive agriculture can significantly reduce soil life forms and therefore its fertility and productivity”, he added.
Example of a Helpful Fungus
Without fungi like this turkey tail fungus, the world would be full of dead plant and animal bodies.
OVERVIEW OF THE WAYS FUNGUS IS HELPFUL
Fungi have a very important role in nature. Fungi break down and feed on decaying organic material or dead organisms. Fungi decompose the waste and remains of plants and animals. Fungi obtain nutrients by secreting digestive enzymes. The enzymes break down or digest the food. The nutrients are then released into the environment to be used by other organisms and the fungus itself. The nutrients are then returned to the environment as nitrogen and phosphorus. The fungus provides the plants with water and minerals.
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Fungi, soil living bacteria help developing world farmers to better crop yields: UN
Example of a Helpful Fungus