White stuff on roots

Question

When I uproot my vegetable plants or even sometimes when I remove weeds, I see this white stuff in the soil near the roots:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/img1014be.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/802/img1013ae.jpg

What is this? Is it harmful? How to get rid of it?

Answer 1

This is called mycelium. It's a fungus that breaks down organic material. You'll find it on bits of wood buried in the soil, on rotting straw or woody bits in compost heaps, on leafmould and manure in the soil. They are not harmful and these organisms play a vital part in the ecosystem in breaking down material so plants can use it.

It's a good thing when you see this in your soil.