Editing Mycelium (section)

===Agriculture===
One of the primary roles of fungi in an ecosystem is to [[decomposition|decompose]] organic compounds. [[Petroleum]] products and some [[pesticide]]s (typical soil contaminants) are organic molecules (i.e., they are built on a carbon structure), and thereby show a potential carbon source for fungi. Hence, fungi have the potential to eradicate such pollutants from their environment unless the chemicals prove toxic to the fungus. This biological degradation is a process known as [[mycoremediation]].

Mycelial mats have been suggested as having potential as biological filters, removing chemicals and microorganisms from soil and water. The use of fungal mycelium to accomplish this has been termed [[mycofiltration]].

Knowledge of the relationship between [[mycorrhiza]]l fungi and plants suggests new ways to improve [[crop yield]]s.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wu S, Shi Z, Chen X, Gao J, Wang X | title = Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase crop yields by improving biomass under rainfed condition: a meta-analysis | journal = PeerJ | volume = 10 | pages = e12861 | date = February 2022 | pmid = 35178300 | pmc = 8815364 | doi = 10.7717/peerj.12861 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

When spread on logging roads, mycelium can act as a binder, holding disturbed new soil in place thus preventing washouts until [[woody plants]] can establish roots.

Fungi are essential for converting [[biomass]] into [[compost]], as they decompose feedstock components such as [[lignin]], which many other composting microorganisms cannot.<ref name="cornell">{{cite web|url=http://compost.css.cornell.edu/microorg.html|title=Composting - Compost Microorganisms|work=[[Cornell University]]|access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref> Turning a backyard compost pile will commonly expose visible networks of mycelia that have formed on the decaying organic material within. Compost is an essential [[soil amendment]] and [[fertilizer]] for [[organic farming]] and [[Organic horticulture|gardening]]. Composting can divert a substantial fraction of [[municipal solid waste]] from [[landfill]]s.<ref name="Epstein_2011">{{Cite book | title = Industrial Composting: Environmental Engineering and Facilities Management | vauthors = Epstein E | year = 2011 | publisher = [[CRC Press]] | isbn = 978-1439845318 }}</ref>