Fungal hyphae are microscopic, thread-like filaments that make up the main body of most fungi. These filaments grow through soil, organic matter, roots, wood, and other substrates, absorbing water and nutrients as they expand. A network of hyphae is called a mycelium.
In soils, fungal hyphae play important roles in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil structure. They can physically bind soil particles together, helping form stable aggregates that improve aeration, water movement, and resistance to erosion. Many beneficial fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi, use hyphae to explore soil far beyond the root zone and transport nutrients and water back to plant roots.
Not all fungal hyphae are beneficial. Some pathogenic fungi use specialized hyphae to penetrate plant tissues and extract resources from living cells, causing diseases such as root rots, wilts, and leaf spots.
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