Welcome to my blog on Soil health! The independent study I am conducting will further my understanding of the soil rhizosphere, and gain familiarity with techniques for enriching the richness of soils through the promotion of mycorrhizae and beneficial soil bacterium in a no-till system. Research will aim at practical application of these practices for small scale, sustainable farmers to improve their soil.
I have been reaching out to experienced practitioners using mycorrhizae, hoping to get an idea of where and how to implement this wondrous fungus in gardens and orchards. Fungi Perfecti is a local company that’s had great success selling fungus related products, one of which is Mycogrow, a mushroom species that can be introduced to soils. It helps maximize plant growth, and nutritional potential. My inquiries on the product will provide insight on helpful techniques when using this product. Keep an eye for out for updates..
A bit about Mycorrhizae…
Mycorrhizae is a group of free-living bacteria that may fix nitrogen, provide growth-promoting substances to plants, or modify the rhizosphere to make various recalcitrant nutrients available to plants.
Mycorrhizas
-increase nutrient uptake
-can be used in the biocontrol of pathogenic fungi and nematodes
-bind heavy metals, protecting plants from toxic levels
-restore degraded sites
-in orchids, essential for seed germination and seedling establishment
-fruitbodies (truffles, chanterelles, lactarius ex.) associated with mycorrhizal fungi
Major Families… There are many different types of beneficial soil fungus!!
Rhizobiaceae– able to fix nitrogen that can be made available to the plants.
Ectomycorrhizas– Usually found on tree species, some shrub and herbaceous species
Arbuscular mycorrhizas– Most prevalent-more than 80% of all plant species show association
Ericoid mycorrhizas- Important in healthland ecosystems where soil nitrogen is bound in various organic compounds.
Arbutoid mycorrhizas- Specialized mycorrhizas differ structurally, by having a hartig net as well as intracellular hyphal complex.
Monotropoid mycorrhizas- Distinct in the epidermal cells are invaded by a single hypha forming a peg around which the host cell elaborates a wall and plasma membrane.
Ectendomycorhizas- Mantle and hartig net, confined to the conifer genera pinus and Larix, and formed by a small group of Ascomycete fungi.
Orchid mycorrhizas- angiosperm family, fungi associations occur with embryo cells of germinating seeds.