Maximum Yield USA December 2020 / January 2021 | Page 12

bare ROOTS
Featured Contributors
VOLUME 22 – NUMBER 6 December 2020 / January 2021
EH
Eric Hopper has more than 10 years of experience in the hydroponic industry as both a retail store manager and owner . He continuously seeks new methods and products that could help maximize garden performance . Eric resides in Michigan where he and his family strive for a selfsufficient and sustainable lifestyle .
MM
Monica Mansfield owned an indoor garden store for 5½ years before selling the business to start a seven-acre homestead with her husband , Owen . Monica is passionate about gardening , sustainable living , and holistic health . She writes about these topics and her homestead adventures on her blog , thenaturelifeproject . com .
Maximum Yield is published bi-monthly by Maximum Yield Inc . No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher . If undeliverable please return to the address below . The views expressed by columnists are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of Maximum Yield or the editor .
Publication Agreement Number 40739092
Printed in Canada
2339 A Delinea Place , Nanaimo , BC V9T 5L9
Phone : 250.729.2677 ; Fax 250.729.2687
Contributors
+ Chris Bond Grubbycup Rich Hamilton Philip McIntosh Dr . Lynette Morgan
ADVERTISING SALES sales @ maximumyield . com
EDITORIAL editor @ maximumyield . com
DESIGN & PRODUCTION ads @ maximumyield . com
ACCOUNTING accounting @ maximumyield . com
A
MYCORRHIZAE
Maximum Yield is distributed direct to retailers via FedEx ®, with distribution support from our partners :
DL Wholesale dlwholesale . com
Hydrofarm hydrofarm . com
Mycorrhizae are a form of fungus which can form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with a plant ’ s root system to increase efficiency of nutrient uptake exponentially .
Mycorrhizae exist as microscopic threads called hyphae . The hyphae create a complex interconnected web called a mycelium . The mycelium network thus created increases the root ’ s ability to absorb water and other macronutrients from the soil by increasing the available surface area for uptake . Mycorrhizae also release powerful enzymes that assist in this uptake . In return , plants will take excess sugar produced in the leaves through photosynthesis and send it to the roots . From here , the mycorrhizae are able to absorb it to sustain themselves .
A mycelium network can grow much smaller and much more complex than a plant ’ s roots . Hyphae can fit between individual , microscopic pieces of soil . They are the roots of a plants roots .
Mycorrhizae also help protect plants against toxins and to be more resistant to different types of plant diseases , particularly soil-borne illnesses . Mycorrhizal inoculants can be added to the soil to encourage the growth of mycelial networks but it is important to note that there are various plant-specific strains and therefore understanding your specific needs is key .
Check out Eric Hopper ' s article on page 26 for more information .
12 Maximum Yield