When we think of caring for our beloved plants, I'm sure the idea of dumping fungal spores and bacteria into our soil sounds more like something we want to avoid rather than something we should be doing right?
It's time we broke from that rationale, and I'll explain why in as best detail as I possibly can. I study plants and plant nutrition, with a side hobby of mycology, so for me, this is going to be a fun article to write, and I hope you enjoy the passion I'm putting into this!
What is Mycorrhizae?
Simply put, mycorrhizae is any fungus that grows with or on the roots of plants. Some can be beneficial, and others mildly detrimental.
What is Rhizobacteria?
Bacteria can also for symbiotic relationships with plants and their roots, and this is the term we use to describe them.
The Basics
Let's get right into it since I'm late on this week's blog post! Mycorrhizae and Rhizobacteria can be both good or detrimental, but we're focusing on the good ones here. Let's be honest, the thought of mushrooms in our plants is already hard to swallow for some, so if we focus on the helpful ones, perhaps I can convince you to take the leap!
There are four major types of Mycorrhizae: Arbuscular, Ecto, Orchid, and Ericoid. All four live in the cortex of plant roots, which is the outer layer of roots just below the epidermis. Imagine a mushroom living just a millimeter below your skin. Okay maybe dont imagine that. But what if they gave you the ability to absorb water and nutrients from your surroundings? The ability to absorb water from things you normally couldn't. For a moment, let's pretend you're a plant living your life, but water is scarce and infrequent at times, and you're struggling to find the nutrients you need to thrive. Then one day, your roots have a visitor. Mycorrhizae is now connected to your roots. With a friendly hello, the fungus begins transporting water and nutrients directly to your roots. Mmm, refreshing isn't it?
Okay, pretend time is over. But that's what mycorrhizae does in a nutshell. As the fungus branches outward using it's hyphae, it begins searching the soil for complex organics. Now, these organics are things that your plant normally can't easily interact with aside from growing roots around it. The hyphae begin breaking down and extracting the nutrients from these organics but it creates an abundance and is happy to share that with it's host plant. Nitrates and phosphates are easily passed to plants from the fungus. In return, the plant provides carbohydrates it produces from photosynthesis.
So that's the catch. Some carbs are given to the fungal network, and in exchange your plants receive bountiful noots.
Arbuscular mycorrhizae is the most prominent type, capable of working with trees, grasses, worts, herbs and other similar plant types. Yes houseplants too! You'll want to look for species in the family Glomeromycota. They increase water supply and nutrients to attached plants in the network.
Ectomycorrhizae are a little different, but chances are you've heard of or possibly seen some! Truffles, the Laccaria genus, Amanita genus, are all types of this myco! Commonly found working symbiotically with Birch, Willow, and many other woody trees.
Moving away from Ecto, you have Orchid Mycorrhizae. While you likely won't be too familiar with members of this type, you may have seen Russula before. Brittle gills they're called. You'll notice them as shades of tan, white, red, purple, etc... They typically crumble in your hands. Some nicknames for species in this genus include "The Vomitter", so... Definitely do not try and eat any of the fungus we're talking about here. Good for plants, not good for hooman. Only a small percentage of Orchidaceae deviate and symbiotically work with Ectomycorrhizae.
Now finally, Ericoid, a very old fungal family that will commonly be found in bogs, boreal forests, and heartlands. Places where nutrients are scarce, soil is poor quality, and lower pH environments are where Ericoid Mycorrhizae flourish. They break down complex molecules which allows them to share that with their partners. They attach to the epidermis and can pull complex nitrates and phosphates from otherwise barren soil.
So yea, they're all relatively similar in that they all bond with plant roots. The mechanism, effectiveness, and environment differ though between each of these four.
Figuring Out Which To Use?
Most mycorrhizae inoculants you'll find being sold offer several different species mixed into one. The idea is that the best species for your plant will take hold. As we learned above, not all species work with all plants so a good blend can help improve the odds of success.
How we measure the strength of your inoculants is fairly simple. We call it Propagules Per Gram or PPG and it is a count of how many spores and fragments of hyphae are in there.
Look for the species listed! Some common ones are:
- Claroideoglomus Etunicatum
- Glomus Mossaea
- Glomus Clarum
- Glomus Deserticola
- Glomus Aggregatum
- Glomus Intraradices
- Glomus Etunicatum
- Rhizophagus Irregularis
- Rhizophagus Aggregatum
- Rhizophagus Proliferum
- Rhizophagus Clarus
For beneficial bacteria, these are some common ones:
- Bacillus Licheniformis (Can help increase the efficiency that roots uptake water.)
- Bacillus Subtillis (Helps reduce harmful pathogens in the soil and can help improve root structure by creating a more habitable soil.)
- Bacillus Amylolquefacients (Say that ten times... This one can help release nutrients locked in soil and improve growth.)
- Bacillus Pumilus
- Bacillus Coagulans
- Bacillus Megatherium
- Paenibacillus Polymyxa
- Pseudomonas Fluorescent
Many brands only offer a few types of my orrhizae so be sure to find ones that have a broad spectrum.
Bacteria can play a big role in overall total soil health. Bacteria break things down creating waste in the process. Sometimes this waste is something beneficial. Some bacillus create molecules similar to plant hormones that can play a role in root growth. Some are defenders that help protect the roots from unwanted organisms and pathogens.
There's really so much to discuss and go into about this topic so I'm going to stop here for now. If you all want more info, I may come back and touch this up, or create a Part 2 going into the more technical mechanisms.
As promised, a reward for reading each blog. Use Code: FREEMYCO during checkout for a free packet of mycorrhizae inoculant to try, or take 2.49$ off any Mycorrhizae Size You don't even have to order anything else if you don't want! You'll have to spot the flat shipping cost, but that's it.
You can find it here: Product Page
As always, grow nice and big. And if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them here and I'll get back to ya!
-Steve