What are beneficial fungi known as?

Beneficial fungi are primarily known as saprophytes. These fungi play a crucial role in ecosystems by breaking down organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, recycling nutrients back into the soil. This decomposition process is vital for soil health and plant growth, as it helps maintain nutrient availability in the environment.

Saprophytes contribute to a balanced ecosystem by ensuring that dead organic material does not accumulate, which can lead to detrimental environmental conditions. Their role is distinct from pathogens, which can cause diseases in plants and animals, and parasites, which rely on a host for their nourishment, sometimes harming the host in the process. Nematodes, on the other hand, are not fungi but rather microscopic roundworms that can be beneficial or harmful, depending on the species and their interactions with plants.

In summary, labeling beneficial fungi as saprophytes emphasizes their important ecological function of decomposition and nutrient cycling, which is essential for sustaining healthy ecosystems and promoting plant vitality.