HOW IT WORKS
What Are Mycorrhizae?
“Myco” and “rhiza” combine to form “mycorrhiza,” signifying the intimate alliance between plants and root fungi. These specialized fungi inhabit plant roots symbiotically, penetrating deep into the soil. Mycorrhizal fungal filaments serve as natural extensions of root systems, excelling in the absorption of nutrients and water beyond the capability of roots alone. A staggering 95 percent of terrestrial plant species engage in this symbiotic bond with beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, a relationship honed over millions of years. These fungi predate the emergence of terrestrial plants, and their partnership facilitated the colonization of arid land, thus fostering life on Earth as we recognize it.
This symbiotic rapport revolves around the plant’s capacity to generate carbohydrates via photosynthesis, sharing a portion of these sugars with the fungus in exchange for essential water and nutrients sourced by the extensive network of mycelial hyphae. It represents a reciprocal exchange of resources between two species, epitomizing a classic symbiotic mutualism. Endomycorrhizal fungi depend on the plant, while the plant’s vitality and resilience are bolstered by the presence of the fungus.
Benefits of Mycorrhizae?
There exists a wealth of documented advantages that mycorrhizal fungi offer to plants. The primary benefits they extend to professional growers encompass Root System Enhancement, Enhanced Nutrient Efficiency, and Augmented Water Absorption & Utilization.
Root System Growth
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Mycorrhizal fungi support faster plant establishment
- Mycorrhizal hyphae access water and nutrients beyond the root zonw and deliver them to the plant's vascular network
- Increases absorption area by as much as 50 times
- Increases overall root biomass
Nutrient Efficiency
- Mycorrhizal hyphae absorb and actively deliver nutrients directly to the roots
- Improves utilization of soil nutrients including: - Nitrogen - Phosphorus - Potassium - Micronutrients
Water Absorption
- Mycorrhizal hyphae absorb and transport soil moisture from beyond the root zone to the plant's roots
- The mycorrhizal symbiosis increases the plant's effective water utilization capabilities: - Improved tolerance to stress - Greater resistance to drought
Advantages of VAM (Bio fertilizer) to Plants
- Strengthen the root system
- Enhances the Water & Nutrient uptake
- Enhances drought resistance
- Enhances the stress tolerance by stimulating phytohormonal activity
- Protects the plant against the root born fungal attacks
- Removes the toxic chemicals (example: phenolics) which otherwise hinder nutrient availability
- It protects the plants from heavy metal stress
- VAM is highly useful for crops like Cotton, paddy, coconut, banana, sugarcane, cardamom, tea, coffee, Pepper, Turmeric, Garden plants, cereals, Pulses, Flowers and oil seeds etc.
What are the Different Types of Mycorrhizal Fungi?
2 Major Types of Mycorrhizal Fungi
Endomycorrhizal Fungi
- Form symbiotic relationships with approximately 85% of plant families
- Pair with most commercially produced plants, including green, leafy, and fruiting or flowering plants.
- Penetrate into the root cortex and form nutrient exchange structures within the root cells (arbuscules, vessicles, etc)
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi
- Form symbiotic relationships with approximately 10% of plant families
- Mainly pair with conifers and many American hardwoods
- Do not penetrate into the root cell walls, but form a sheath around the root, nutrient exchange structures known as a "Hartig net"
Other(s)
- Brassica Family is non-mycorrhizal
- Ericaceae and Orchids have specific species of mycorrhizal fungi ( less commercially available)
Examples of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi:
- Glomus intraradices
- Rhizophagus intraradices
- Rhizophagus irregularis
- Glomus mosseae
- Funneliformis mosseae
- Glomus aggregatum
- Claroideoglomus claroideum
- Glomus etunicatum
- Claroideoglomus etunicatum
- Glomus deserticola
- Glomus clarum
- Glomus monosporum
- Paraglomus brasilianum
- Gigaspora margarita
Examples of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi:
- Rhizopogon villosulus
- Rhizopogon luteolus
- Rhizopogon amylopogon
- Rhizopogon fulvigleba
- Pisolithus tinctorius
- Suillus granulatus
- Laccaria bicolor
- Laccaria laccata
- Scleroderma cepa
- Scleroderma citrinum