MYCORRHIZAE
M
any home growers are already
familiar with the term mycorrhiza, but just in case you aren’t, here
is a refresher: Mycorrhiza refers to
the symbiotic relationship that forms
between beneficial fungus and a plant’s
root system. Utilizing a cultivation
system that fosters mycorrhizal associations, which allow for greater nutrient
uptake by the plant, will undoubtedly
result in a more bountiful harvest.
At the heart of the mycorrhizal association lies a symbiotic relationship
between fungal spores and the plant’s
root system. This relationship is a form
of mutualism. Mutualism occurs when
two or more species interact in such a
manner that their relationship benefits the health and well-being of both
organisms. In certain situations, the
relationship becomes one of dependence, with each part needing the other
in order to survive. This is just one of
many symbiotic relationships found in
nature that contribute to our ecosystem.
Each link in the chain is as equally as
important as the next.
There are two types of mycorrhizal
fungi—endo and ecto. The vast majority of beneficial fungi fall into the
endomycorrhizal category, which has
several subclasses of its own. Of those
subclasses, the Arbuscular type constitutes around 80 per cent of all mycorrhizal associations. These Arbuscular,
or AM endomycorrhizae, grow into the
root system, penetrating its outer layers.
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Maximum Yield USA | December 2016
They then branch outward into the soil
extracting and converting nutrients.
The nutrients are then fed into the roots
by means of these beneficial fungi. In
nature, this process is largely responsible for facilitating the process of photosynthesis. Ectomycorrhizae are the least
common form of mycorrhizae, attributing
for around two per cent of mycorrhizal
associations in nature. They differ in as
far as instead of penetrating the root,
they wrap around it to form a protective
sheath. These types of associations are
more often found in harsh climates.
At the heart of
the mycorrhizal
association
lies a symbiotic
relationship
between fungal
spores and the
plant’s root system."