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The Life Scientific: Episode 126: Lynne Boddy on Fungi

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Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Lynne Boddy on Fungi

Episode 126

Episode 126: Lynne Boddy on Fungi

BBC Radio 4 - The Life Scientific, Lynne Boddy on Fungi

Lynne Boddy enthuses about fungi. Without this mouldy animal kingdom, there would be no life on earth.

Fungi are responsible for rotting fruit, crumbling brickwork and athlete's foot. They have a mouldy reputation; but it's their ability to destroy things that enables new life to grow. 90% of all plants depend on fungi to extract vital nutrients from the soil. And it's probably thanks to fungi that the first plants were able to colonize land 450 million years ago. Professor Lynne Boddy shares her passion for fungi with Jim Al-Khalili and describes some of the vicious strategies they use to defend their territory. Direct strangulation and chemical weapons; it's all happening underground.

Producer: Anna Buckley.

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Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires them and asking what their discoveries might do for us in the future.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them and asking what their discoveries might do for us in the future

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Episode 126: Lynne Boddy on Fungi

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