Fungi are also known to form symbiotic associations with plants. This is known as-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a plant. Many members of the genus Glomus form it. The fungus absorbs phosphorus from the soil and passes it to the plant, so it works as a biofertiliser.
Option (1) Phycobiont — Incorrect. A phycobiont is the algal partner in a lichen, not a fungus–plant association.
Option (2) Mycorrhiza — Correct. A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association of a fungus with the roots of a higher plant. Many fungi of the genus Glomus form mycorrhiza and absorb phosphorus from the soil for the plant.
Option (3) Cyanobacteria — Incorrect. Cyanobacteria are autotrophic microbes that fix nitrogen, such as Anabaena and Nostoc. They are bacteria, not a fungal association.
Option (4) Antibiotics — Incorrect. Antibiotics are chemicals made by microbes that kill or stop the growth of other microbes, such as penicillin.
NCERT Extract:
Microbes as Biofertilisers – “… Fungi are also known to form symbiotic associations with plants (mycorrhiza). Many members of the genus Glomus form mycorrhiza. The fungal symbiont in these associations absorbs phosphorus from soil and passes it to the plant. Plants having such associations show other benefits also, such as resistance to root-borne pathogens, tolerance to salinity and drought, and an overall increase in plant growth and development.”