The growth of saprophytic fungi on root surfaces

Summary Data are provided on the growth of non-pathogenic soil fungi on root surfaces. By growing roots from non-sterile soil into sterile vermiculite, and by regular isolation of fungi from the roots which had grown into the sterile vermiculite, it was shown that fungal growth down roots is slow. It is suggested that in the colonization of roots by non-pathogenic fungi successive lateral colonization from the soil is of greater importance than the growth of fungi down roots.