Understanding and using mycorrhizae, an army of little helpers

Understanding and using mycorrhizae, an army of little helpers

Mycorrhizae are fungi in the genus Amanita. This fungus has a symbiotic relationship with plant root systems in which both it and the plant that hosts it benefit from. In addition to root systems, mycorrhizae are a vital component to soils bio-organic life and its chemistry.

The plant gives steady and direct access to sucrose and glucose, carbs that the fungus needs. In return, the mycorrhizae provide higher absorptive capacity for nutrients, water and minerals making the plant able to grow faster, larger and better. Phosphate ions lay dormant in soils with basic pH, mycelium from the mycorrhizal accesses these dormant nutrients available to the roots that feed the plant.

It works in two ways, both chemically and physically. Physically the mycelia are very small and able to maneuver through hard to penetrate soil for roots. By breaking up the soil medium, roots are able to extend their growth and abundance, thus feeding better and more than before. Chemically, as the mycorrhizae excrete acids which allow ion displacement, making once dormant soil active and desirable.

In addition to improving root growth and soil condition, mycorrhiza provide resistance to diseases that can effect soil, and resistance to periods of drought caused by decreased watering or increased temperatures or lack of humidity. Because of an increased root system, the mycorrhizal plant is able to expand its reach and absorption rate.

Mycorrhizae also serve as a warrior against less desirable soils to high toxicity often caused by high metal concentration, low pH acidity, and other contaminants, even including petroleum contaminants. The mycelium acts to bind metal contaminants while leaving beneficial substances alone.

Fossils of mycorrhizae have been found that date back nearly 400 million years ago, this is due to the fact that the bond between plants and this super soil fungus is without a doubt, the most common symbiotic relationship found in the plant kingdom. Able to live in soil and in root systems, it travels around stimulating and activating the feeding system of the plant while activating soil making it better for both the plant and the mycorrhizae. It has been growing and aiding plant growth since the beginning.

The problem that occurs with soil is that as plants use up nutrients, synthetic fertilizers are used, or new ground is used for growing that is less than desirable, that soil or grow medium needs to be re-stimulated. Mycorrhizae live for just this purpose. The better the plant grows, the better they grow, so by adding this fungus to your soil the mycorrhizae will make a world of difference to activate and stimulate its environment and host, a real Win, Win situation.

But wait, there's more. Because of how mycorrhizae feed, they also aid in the decomposition of materials in the soil that would otherwise be unavailable to plant feeding. So what does all this mean to the gardener who uses mycorrhizae in their soils? That is the real kicker.

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