What Is The Mycorrhizal Network?

Mycorrhizal Fungi form networks that are the backbone of a healthy soil ecosystem, and a significant factor in the health of the majority of plants in the world.  They facilitate the movement of nutrients, water, and bacteria between and amongst plants.  

As more information is being realized about this ‘Internet of Plants’, the true power of a healthy living soil ecosystem will be realized.

Mycorrhizal networks are formed by what are called ‘hyphae’.  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 have been known to extend over vast distances, and interconnect multiple plant species<1>.

The rhizosphere, or the area in the soil immediately surrounding plant roots, is thought of as the most ecologically diverse ecosystem on the planet.  Billions of fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms inhabit this zone.  

It is here that the true beauty of the mycorrhizal network is shown.  It is also where Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) dwell.  These bacteria hold many valuable functions influencing plant life and biogeochemical cycles.  

This includes: supply of nutrients, increase in nutrient use efficiency, induction of disease resistance, enhancement of abiotic stress tolerance, modulation of morphogenesis (development) by plant growth regulators<4>.

These beneficial bacteria use the network of mycorrhizal hyphae to transport and redistribute nutrients, which benefits plants and the bacteria alike.  It is with this living soil, improved soil structure, and diversity of organisms that facilitates a healthy soil ecosystem.  The roots of plants can only extend so far into the soil; thus making the importance of the mycorrhizal network essential to allow plants to have access to the water and nutrients they would not normally have.

This ‘internet of plants’ has benefits beyond just plant health.  Disturbed sites, polluted soils, heavily tilled, depleted soils, and restoration sites all can benefit from the colonization of mycorrhizal.

Mycorrhizae helps the natural establishment and protection of vegetation throughout this network.  This is extremely significant for agricultural and nursery production.  Communication within the Mycorrhizal network is still a relatively unsettled phenomena, but with the research of people like Suzanne Simard, more and more is becoming known about how these networks, and the communications that occur in them happen.

Research has shown that a type of communication, or trigger, does enable plants to send signals throughout the mycorrhizal network to warn of a disturbance or pathogen effecting an individual plant or plants.  Studies have shown numerous beneficial fungi and bacteria have the ability to signal, or communicate between plants to warn of soil borne or insect pests<1>.  Specifically, a study looked at how corn plants release a chemical that specifically targets pests and other plants.  This chemical also attracts a strain of the beneficial bacteria Pseudomonas (PGPR), that is able to outcompete the pathogenic bacteria<2>.  Another study used Streptomyces (PGPR) bacteria to show that compounds released by this beneficial bacteria triggered positive responses from plants infected by pathogens<3>.

All of these remarkable bacterial functions that benefit plant and soil health are made possible through the mycorrhizal network. The ‘Internet of Plants’ connects the living soil ecosystem to plant communities.  This enables them to work together to form a natural, healthy environment.

When a diverse community of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and organics are introduced, a healthy, living soil is formed.  Start with the roots, end with stronger plants, greater yields, and production.  

Boost Your Grow The Natural Way

references:

<1> New Phytol. 2015 Mar;205(4):1448-53. doi: 10.1111/nph.13115. Epub 2014 Nov 24.

<2> Benzoxazinoids in Root Exudates of Maize Attract Pseudomonas putida to the Rhizosphere.  April 25, 2012.  PLoSONE.  Neal et al.

<3> https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiw119

<4>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304423815301850