Discuss Any Two Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition in Plants
February 28, 2023 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
While heterotrophic nutrition is commonly associated with animals, some plants also utilize this type of nutrition. Here are two types of heterotrophic nutrition seen in plants: Parasitic nutrition and Mycotrophic nutrition.
- Parasitic nutrition: Parasitic plants obtain their nutrition by living on or in the tissues of other plants (hosts). Parasitic plants are classified into two categories: obligate parasites and facultative parasites. Obligate parasites depend entirely on their hosts for their nutrition and cannot survive without them. Examples of obligate parasites include dodders, mistletoes, and broomrapes. Facultative parasites can obtain their nutrition through both parasitic and autotrophic modes of nutrition. For example, the Indian pipe plant can obtain its nutrition from both fungi and photosynthesis.
- Mycotrophic nutrition: Mycotrophic plants obtain their nutrition by forming mutualistic relationships with fungi. The plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates and other organic compounds, while the fungus provides the plant with minerals and other nutrients obtained from the soil. Mycotrophic plants are usually found in nutrient-poor environments such as bogs and forests. Examples of mycotrophic plants include orchids and monotropes.
In summary, parasitic plants obtain their nutrition by living on or in the tissues of other plants, while mycotrophic plants obtain their nutrition by forming mutualistic relationships with fungi. These two types of heterotrophic nutrition in plants allow them to survive and thrive in environments where other modes of nutrition may be limited or unavailable.