The Natural History Research and Museum Center at the University of Baghdad, with the support and guidance of its director, Assistant Professor Dr. Hanaa Hani Al-Saffar, organized a workshop entitled “Symbiotic Relationships Between Fungi and Plants in Ecosystem Integration” on Sunday, May 10, 2026. The workshop was facilitated by Assistant Lecturer Ali Kamel Wanas and presented by Assistant Lecturer Sarah Jamal Jalil, with the participation of Assistant Professor Dr. Khansaa Rashid Majeed and Assistant Lecturer Zainab Ghazi Sadiq.
The workshop aimed to clarify the concept of symbiotic relationships between fungi and plants, particularly mycorrhizal relationships, and to demonstrate the role of mycorrhizal fungi in improving water and mineral absorption from the soil. It also highlighted the importance of mycorrhizae in increasing plant tolerance to harsh environmental conditions such as drought, salinity, and poor soil. Furthermore, the workshop aimed to identify types of mycorrhizae, such as endophytes and ectomycorrhizae, and to explain the differences between them. The workshop emphasized the importance of this relationship in ecological integration and the stability of plant communities. Finally, it suggested the possibility of studying this relationship in Iraqi wild plants and linking it to soil and environmental characteristics. The most important outcome of this scientific workshop is to encourage the study of mycorrhizal fungi associated with wild and native plants in Iraq. This includes conducting field surveys to compare mycorrhizal distribution across desert, agricultural, humid, and mountainous environments, linking mycorrhizal colonization results to soil properties such as pH, salinity (EC), phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter. The workshop also aims to utilize microscopic and statistical analyses to scientifically establish the relationship between fungi and plants, and to promote the use of mycorrhizal fungi as biostimulants to improve plant growth and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, it seeks to highlight the importance of Iraqi wild plants, as they may possess significant symbiotic relationships that help them tolerate drought and salinity.
The workshop also sheds light on the Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). We wish all the faculty members of our center continued success in serving the community, science, and knowledge.
