Without mycorrhizae, many plants would wilt, wilt, and die. They are a group of invisible fungi that work together with other organisms to improve soils. When you walk through a forest, there is a chance that you are stepping on thousands of live mycorrhizal fungi.
But what exactly are they? The most basic structures of fungi are small hyphae that sprout from spores. These hyphae form mycelia, which are thin, white filaments. They are like the roots of mushrooms, and They disperse in search of nutrients and host plants..
Mycorrhizae are a type of mycelium that forms associations with live shrubs, trees, and perennials. They link with roots and Foster a symbiotic relationship. with their hosts. Some plants need them to survive, while others simply benefit from their presence.
Immerse yourself in the world of mycorrhizal fungi and see if they are the most suitable for your ornamental and garden crops.
Bio-tone organic plant food
Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus Organic Plant Food (4 lbs.)
Mycorrhizal fungi are various species with filaments of mycelium that link with plant roots. Some have specific hosts, such as North American pines, while others are more generalist. Most soils already contain mycorrhizae naturally. Compost, mulch and a wide range of garden plants. encourage a multitude of these fungi to thrive.
Rotoculture, synthetic fertilizers and destructive gardening methods kill sensitive mycelia below the soil. Gardens with these soils may need additional mycorrhizal-rich amendments.
Whether or not these ancient mushrooms are good for your garden depends on the conditions of your landscape. Some gardeners may not need to modify their beds, while others should. we will learn to Encourage mycorrhizal growth over time. and how to quickly inoculate soils with mycelium.
Puerto Rican Pines
Before we delve into the attention, there is a story to discuss that perfectly illustrates how crucial mycorrhizal fungi are for plant roots. In the 1930s, the USDA Forest Service brought in non-native pine South Carolina seeds to plant in Puerto Rico. They were trying to grow valuable wood in a new location.
Years of trying to grow these pine trees proved futile: the seedlings sprouted, withered, and died. It wasn’t until 1955, when BJ Huckenpahler brought native soil from South Carolina to Puerto Rico and planted seeds, that the Forest Service made a breakthrough. He seedlings in native soil thrived and grew up to five feet tall a year later!
After the experiment, additional research showed that mycorrhizae were the motivating factor behind the success of the pines. The seedlings that withered and died missed their fungal counterparts and could not survive in their new location without them.
Promote natural mycorrhizae
These special fungi naturally colonize soils rich with a wide range of species. when you grow a mix of native plants in your yard, you invite native mycorrhizae to space. Our favorite crops and ornamental species also combine well with them and contribute to the diversity of your soil.
Mulch is another great way to Promote mycorrhizal fungi. on earth. He protects bare floorskeeping the sensitive strands of mycelium safe from trampling and handling. Also slowly injects nutrients as it breaks downcreating a rich habitat for fungi.
The last, but certainly not least, effective way to encourage natural mycorrhizal populations is add compost to your garden beds. Compost adds structure, nutrients, and other beneficial critters to existing soils. It may also contain spores that can develop into new hyphae and mycelia.
Add organic fertilizer with mycorrhizae
Even if your soils already have mycorrhizae, additional applications won’t do any harm. Unlike fertilizer, too many of these fungi will not damage the soil structure or life. As more and more research reveals the importance of these organisms, more companies are manufacturing products that contain them.
Consider using an organic fertilizer with these mushrooms already in them. With these fertilizers you can inoculate your garden with mycorrhizae every time you add them.
Other products exist without nutrients and are simply powders or propagules with mycorrhizae inside. These pure mushroom mixes They are excellent for transplanting seedlings. Roll its roots in the powder and place it in the transplant holes. It won’t hurt themwill boost your growthmaking them more resistant to drought, pests and diseases.
Rotoculture kills mycorrhizae
The mycelium strands are extremely sensitive! Any disturbing action that breaks up soil particles can fracture and kill them before they form extensive populations. If the soils have been tilled in the past, you will want to add plenty of mycorrhizal amendments, compost, and mulch.
Avoid tilling unless necessary. New no-till gardening methods prove that bountiful harvests don’t really depend on tillage and fertilizers, but on soil health. Build your soil with beneficial microbes adding amendments on top and avoiding digging into sensitive fungal strands.
Tillage may be necessary to breaking a hard shell or to start a new garden. When done once, these actions are not too harmful. But over-till is especially harmful—Avoid it if you want to encourage mycorrhizal strands.
Apart from tillage, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides It can also damage sensitive mycelia. Avoid synthetic chemicals as they kill at will and sometimes harm sensitive fungi found beneath the soil. Use organic fertilizers and pesticides only when necessary.
Some plants don’t need them
There are times when you may not need these mushrooms. No plant of the cabbage family Brassicaceae does not form relationships with them and will not benefit from its addition. Some of these common unaffected plants are:
- arugula
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- carameltuft
- Radish
- Turnip
The other family that has a different relationship with mycorrhizae is the Ericaceae family. This includes many different ornamental and edible species We love growing in our gardens. Blueberries, lingonberries, and lingonberries bind to a specific set of fungi. Common ornamental species that do not depend on the more general types associated with most plants are rhododendrons, mountain laurels, heathers, and heathers. You can find the specific ericoid mycorrhizae in stores if you want to include them.
Just because these species don’t need general mycorrhizae doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add plenty compost and mulch to your garden beds annually. They will benefit from the presence of bacteria, worms and other bugs. that live in organic amendments. Compost also adds structure and nutrients to soils, helping species in the Brassicaceae and Ericaceae families.
Other beneficial soil microbes
Bacteria and archaea are the other two small organisms that often accompany mushrooms in healthy soils. Bacteria are the most abundant, although they are not the oldest. Archaea are the oldest organisms and have existed for about four billion years.
Bacteria perform many functions when they inhabit soils: they cycle nutrients, improve soil structure, and suppress unpleasant diseases. Adding compost ensures a constant supply of these microbes. Their abundance means they will find their way into your soil one way or another! Archaea are different; They eat and break down carbon and nitrogen, among other nutrients, so that roots can access them.
Larger creatures also work to improve soils, although they are not technically microbes. Algae, protozoa, nematodes and worms. They all eat large particles and convert them into smaller ones for plants. Cultivate healthy soil and you will create living populations of every beneficial bug.
