Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to 1. Resist drought and increase absorptive area 2. Tolerate extremes of pH 3. Resist disease infestation Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Mycorrhizal biotechnology is a vital tool for rehabilitating degraded sites due to its multifaceted benefits for plant survival. Firstly, mycorrhizal fungi form extensive hyphal networks that significantly increase the absorptive surface area of roots, allowing plants to access water and nutrients from smaller soil pores, which enhances drought resistance. Secondly, these fungi enable plants to tolerate toxic stresses and harsh environmental conditions, including extremes of soil pH and heavy metal pollution often found in degraded or mined lands. Thirdly, mycorrhizae provide biological protection against disease infestation by acting as natural biocontrol agents; they stimulate plant immune responses through induced systemic resistance and compete with soil-borne pathogens [1]. By improving nutrient uptake, water relations, and stress tolerance, mycorrhizal associations facilitate the successful revegetation of severely disturbed ecosystems.

Sources

1. [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625002067