What Are Mycorrhizae?
Myco, from the Greek word mýkēs, meaning “mushroom, fungus”.
Rhizae, from the Greek word rhíza, meaning “root”.
Mycorrhizae, a root fungus, that grows in symbiosis with plants, where the fungi provide nutrients and water that the plant roots could not normally obtain on their own. In turn, the plant provides sugars to the mycorrhizal through photosynthesis.
The Symbiosis Between Plants and Mycorrhizae
This process is 400 million years in evolution, as shown in fossil records. It has been proposed that Mycorrhizal Fungi played a key evolutionary role in bringing aquatic plants to land. This enabled the diversity and abundance of vegetation we have today, and quite possibly life as we know it.
The most prevalent form of Mycorrhizae, Endomycorrhizae (Arbuscular Mycorrhiza), colonizes approximately 80% of all plant species. Along with Ectomycorrhizae, which colonizes up to 5% of plants, mainly select hardwoods and conifers; includes the majority of plants on earth. The remainder of plants either have an association with other less prevalent strains of Mycorrhizae, or are non-mycorrhizal.
Why Are Mycorrhizae Important?
The presence of Mycorrhizae promotes biointensive, regenerative agriculture; considering the widely accepted benefits of Mycorrhizae to nutrition use efficiency for macro and micronutrients, water balance, biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) stress protection of plants, and crop quality.
Mycorrhizal fungi are an integral part of a living soil (growth) environment. They act as a foundational organism for the soil ecosystem. These fungi play a powerful role in plant growth and health as they regulate nutrient and carbon cycles, and improve soil structure.
Up to 80% of plant N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus) are provided by Mycorrhizal Fungi and most plant species depend on this symbiosis for growth and survival.
Inoculating plants with the right type of Mycorrhizal sets the stage for explosive root growth, quickly establishing healthy, vibrant plants. It creates the conditions for enhanced nutrient uptake and protection against pathogens.
Endomycorrhizae Defined
- Endomycorrhizal Fungi, specifically Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (AM), forms a mutualistic symbiosis with approximately 80% of plant species, by far the most prevalent form of Mycorrhizae.
- AM form the most commercially viable class of fungi, colonizing most agricultural and horticultural species; and includes the Division Glomeromycota, of which Genus Glomus and others are a part of .
- Endomycorrhizae colonize plant roots by penetrating root cells and forming networks of microscopic fungi. These mycorrhizal networks facilitate the exchange of nutrients, water, and beneficial bacteria. They play important roles in plant resource capture and nutrient cycling.
- The ability of AM fungi to enhance host plant uptake of relatively immobile nutrients, in particular Phosphorus (P), and other Macro and Micronutrients, have been the most recognized beneficial effect of Mycorrhizal as a Biostimulant.
Ectomycorrhizae Defined
- Ectomycorrhizae are the second most prevelant Mycorrhizal, colonizing roughly 5% of plant species, mainly select conifer and hardwood tree species.
- Ectomycorrhizal colonize plant roots by forming a sheath, or mantle, around the root tips. This is different from Endomycorrhizal, which penetrate the roots forming a closer and more invasive symbiotic relationship.
- Ectomycorrhizal work similarly to Endomycorrhizal, in that fungal networks are formed which assist in nutrient and water capture and resource cycling.
Enable Mycorrhizae To Become Instantly Valuable To Your Grow
Mycorrhizal networks are formed by what are called ‘hyphae’. Mycorrhizal hyphae are microscopic strands of fungi which enable water, nutrients, and microorganisms to move from areas of abundance to areas of need. These hyphal networks extend the volume of the soil, increasing nutrient availability and the movement of beneficial bacteria to areas where they can function to the benefit of plants and themselves.
Treatment with Mycorrhizae is invaluable not only for plant growth, but for plant health in defense against pathogens and pests.
Mycorrhizae in Plant Protection
ISR (Induced Systemic Resistance) is a response where plant defenses are triggered due to a prior infection or treatment with Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). This results in resistance to subsequent pathogen or parasitic attack. It also can increase the production of secondary metabolites (terpenes). The presence of a mycorrhizal network is key for the response and movement of bacteria and chemical compounds to seek and destroy pathogens.
How Do Plants Benefit From Mycorrhizae?
- Improves Rooting and Transplant Success
- Enhances Plant Nutrition and Water Availability
- Defends Against Pathogens
- Reduces Fertilizer Use and Need For Pesticides
- Protects Against Abiotic Stresses (Heat Stress, Drought, Soil Compaction, Salinity, etc.)
- Increases Growth, Yields, and Production
The bottom line:
Mycorrhizae, and the scientifically proven blends contained in GreenEden Mycorrhizal products, gives you an easy-to-implement solution to massive yields and production.
Simplify The Science
Every growing situation is unique. When you add a diverse and potent concentration of mycorrhizae, your likelihood of success is maximized.
The 7 strains of Endomycorrizal Fungi in EndoBoost Pro, EndoBoost Hydro and DuoBoost Universal were specifically chosen to maximize the probability of colonization for most plant species and growing conditions.
- Funneliformis mosseae
- Rhizophagus intraradices
- Rhizophagus fasciculatus
- Glomus dussii
- Rhizophagus clarus
- Septoglomus deserticola
- Glomus microaggregatum
These mycorrhizal give you the opportunity for what is called ‘host specificity’. Host specificity is effected by the soil type, plant needs, stressors, and climate. Certain Mycorrhizal strains prefer specific conditions. The concentration, diversity, and potency of these mycorrhizal generate the highest potential for faster root colonization, plant establishment, nutrient and water utilization.
As opposed to other products which contain fewer Mycorrhizal species, EndoBoost gives your plants the diversity of species that assures successful colonization.
Will all of these Mycorrhizal species colonize your plants? Probably not. They will, however, all play a role in building a great living soil. The dominant species will colonize the root zone of your plants. This will be determined by your unique growing conditions. The dominant Mycorrhizal strain can also change over your plants life cycle due to these growing conditions. The Mycorrhizal strains that are not needed will be left to feed and support the soil food web that you have brought to your grow.
Don’t complicate the science. Let nature do the work.
Establishing Mycorrhizal Fungi for your plants is evolution in progress. Natural, biointensive growing that puts nature in the lead. Create a healthy ecosystem, living soil, and naturalized plants that will dominate the conventional, synthetic practices that have been the norm in the past.
Used in soil based mediums, hydroponics, or any growing method you choose, mycorrhizal is essential to grow successful, healthy plants and get awesome results.
Millions of years of evolution in the making…Mycorrhizal Fungi are insurance for your plants’ success, and an assurance that you can Boost Your Grow The Natural Way!
