bacterial vs fungal grass – usually bacterially dominated soil
DESCRIPTION
Bacterial vs Fungal Grass – usually bacterially dominated soil Forest – fungally dominated Ideal orchard soil = fungal dominance 10 x higher than bacteria – a ratio that defines forest-edge ecologyTRANSCRIPT
Bacterial vs Fungal
• Grass – usually bacterially dominated soil• Forest – fungally dominated• Ideal orchard soil = fungal dominance 10 x
higher than bacteria – a ratio that defines forest-edge ecology
Shifting the ratio
• Bacteria utilize simple organic compounds like root secretions and fresh plant residue
• Fungi respond best to surface decomposition while bacteria prefer soil disturbance.
• Fungi use more complex compounds like cellulose, lignins and soil humus.
• Bulky organic material as mulch –build soil from top down as does nature
Amazing Mycorrhizae!•Symbiotic relationship with roots•Over 90% of plants form relationship•Absorptive area of roots massively increased•Nutrients can be transported up to 40m•C-rich sugars traded with nutrients and water•Produce glomalin (gives soil it’s tilth), growth factors and anti-biotics•Can even protect root from pests•Trees linked to other trees & plants
Mycorrizal fungus on root
Mycorriza on root hair
Root-eating nematode captured by fungal hyphae!!!