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Presented by:Jozsef Racsko, Ph.D. and Amy Schroeder

of Mycorrhizal Applications LLC

GROW BETTER PLANTS WITH MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

© Copyright 2018 by Mycorrhizal Applications LLC

WHAT ARE MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI?• Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiosis with >90% of land plants.• They live in the soil and colonize plant roots.• Mycorrhizae provides better absorption of nutrients and

increased water uptake to the plant in exchange for carbon supply.

• They cannot function without living plants.• Plants control the symbiosis; root exudates trigger spore

germination.

• Increase root absorption area (up to 50x)• Increase tolerance to various stressors (drought, nutrient

deficiency, heavy metal toxicity, etc.)• Different types of mycorrhizae

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ECTOMYCORRHIZAE

TYPES OF MYCORRHIZAE

ENDOMYCORRHIZAE -ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE

MONOTROPOID MYCORRHIZAE

ERICOID MYCORRHIZAE

ECTENDO-MYCORRHIZAE

ORCHID MYCORRHIZAE

ARBUTOID MYCORRHIZAE

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ENDOMYCORRHIZAE

• Form symbiotic association with >80% of

plant species on earth.

• Colonize plants inside root cortical cells.

• Root is not altered in morphology –

difficult to determine when roots are

colonized – must clear and stain followed

by microscopic examination.

• Form hyphae (“fungal roots”) in the soil

and within plant tissues.

• Reproductive structures (spores) either

within the plant root or outside in the soil.

• Environmental conditions and root

exudates trigger spores to germinate in

the soil.

COLONIZED

NON- COLONIZED

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ECTOMYCORRHIZAE

• Associate with 5-10% of plant species on earth.

• Major hosts are coniferous and deciduous trees.

• Form fruiting bodies of mushrooms.

• Root is altered in morphology –easily recognized.

• Roots become thicker and repeatedly branched after infection.

• Hyphae do not penetrate cortical root cells, form network of hyphae around roots.

Image: David Hansford, New Zealand Geographic

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Fruiting bodies of mushroom (Amanita muscaria)

Roots of pine seedlings with (right) or without (left) ectomycorrhizal fungi (Pisolithus tinctorius).

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ROOT HAIR vs. MYCORRHIZAL FUNGAL HYPHAE

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Root hair:- Maximum length is several

millimeter- Cation absorption occurs only at the

tips- Mineral nutrient uptake from

available (soluble) pool - The rate of nutrient inflow is lower

Mycorrhizal fungi:- Maximum length 20-25”- Nutrient and water absorption occurs

along the entire length of the hyphae- Mineral nutrient uptake from the

soluble and insoluble pool- The rate of nutrient inflow is greater

HOW DO MYCORRHIZAE WORK?

Depletion zone

Extension of soil volume explored by mycorrhizalhyphae

• Within the soil, plant roots are limited to a small volume for absorption of nutrients.

• Mycorrhizal hyphae grow out beyond the depletion zone.

• Absorption area increases up to 50x.

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CONTAINER-GROWN PLANTS

• No ways to explore larger soil volume in containerized plants

• Benefits of using mycorrhizalfungi under these circumstances:– Produce enzymes that convert

nutrients into bioavailable forms.

– Increase the production of solubilizing enzymes by plant roots.

– Working together with other microorganisms to convert insoluble minerals into soluble forms.

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BENEFITS FROM MYCORRHIZAL INOCULATION• Undisturbed soils contain potentially many strains of mycorrhizal

fungi and other beneficial microbes

• Artificial growing conditions lack of these microbes:• Soil-less growing media• Hydroponics, aeroponics

• Several growing practices/conditions are harmful to mycorrhizal fungi:• Fumigation• Over-fertilization• Extreme toxicity, pollution (roadside landscapes)• Mechanical stress, compaction (golf courses, urban parks)

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PRODUCT FORMULATIONS

Non-soluble Granular Suspendable Powder Liquid- Bulky - Can be very concentrated - Limited shelf life- Limited versatility - Most versatile

Mycorrhizal inoculants often formulated into product packages containing several other ingredients (e.g., bacteria, kelp, humic acid, vitamins).

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COLONIZEDROOT FRAGMENTS

Fungal hyphae network within root tissues. Provide a fast fungal hyphae (re-)growth and quick colonization of target plants.

Spores are normally dormant and germinate slower than root fragments. Very resilient structures.

FUNGAL SPORES FUNGAL HYPHAE

Extra-radical fungal hyphae can colonize plant roots quickly but have a very limited shelf-life (<2 years).

INOCULUM IN MYCORRHIZAL PRODUCTS

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SPECIFICITY OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI• Great deal of variability• One fungal species may form association with many

different plant species – low specificity• One host plant can have mycorrhizal associations with a

number of different fungal species (even at the same time)

BUT:• Different species are responsible for different functional

benefits• Ecological conditions affect fungal presence• Fungal species change with plant phenology, physiology• Diversity in microbial inoculants is important

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SINGLE vs. MULTIPLE SPECIES OF MYCORRHIZAE?

Proportional distribution of AMF sequence types in the roots of Prunella vulgaris and Antennaria dioicaat different times during the growing season.

(Source: Santos-Gonzalez et al., 2007. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 5613-5623.)

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INCREASE QUALITY WITH MYCORRHIZAL FUNGIAMY SCHROEDER,MYCORRHIZAL APPLICATIONS, LLC

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EXPANDED ROOT MASS

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LESS FERTILIZER, MORE PLANT

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NUTRIENT AND WATER UPTAKEDROUGHT TOLERANCE/SHELF LIFE

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IMPROVED FOLIAGE COLOR

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LESS FERTILIZER, MORE PLANT

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Full FertilizerNo

Mycorrhizae

Full FertilizerWith

Mycorrhizae

40% Less Fert.With

Mycorrhizae

40% Less Fert.No

Mycorrhizae

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PAY IT FORWARD• Plants need to be treated once to obtain a

lifetime of benefits• Mycorrhizal treatment benefits anyone in the

customer channel after the treatment– Grower– Retailer

• Pay by Scan• Guaranteed plant material

– Landscaper– Home Gardener

SuspendablePowders

Granulars

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MYCOAPPLY®MYCORRHIZAL INOCULANTS

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TREATMENT METHODS• Soil incorporation• Plug dip• Traditional drench

– Not injection, until early 2019

• Landscape/turf

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• What is the best application method?– An application that gets good contact with the

roots will produce great results. Growers can choose the application method that best fits into their growing practices.

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• How many applications are recommended?– Mycorrhizae remain in a symbiotic relationship

with the plant for the entire plant’s life. When a plant is transplanted into a landscape, the mycorrhizae join the soil ecosystem and change as it changes.

• Reapplication as needed, such as…– after bare root plants harvested– landscape trees and shrubs– cannabis

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• When will I start to see a difference after applying mycorrhizae?– The mycorrhizae go to work immediately after

application to a growing plant root, but it can take 8 weeks for benefits to be visible.

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COST OF TREATMENT

• $0.08/tray for drench treatment– Divided by number

of cells…• Ex: $0.08 / 98 cells =

$0.0008 per plant

Photo by Proven Winners

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A MINUSCULE INVESTMENTRESULTS IN…

• Expanded root mass• Enhanced nutrient efficiency• Improved water extraction, efficiency

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A MINUSCULE INVESTMENTRESULTS IN…

• Increased transplant success• Improved flowering and fruiting

• Enhanced plant habit• Increased drought and stress tolerance

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• Is there a benefit to having multiple species of endomycorrhizae?– Yes; each species has a unique set of benefits.

Plants are not specific to the type of endomycorrhizae.

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• How are ectomycorrhizal relationships different from endomycorrhizal?– Only 10% of all plants can form; mostly hardwood

trees and conifers• Like endo, each species has it’s own unique benefits.

– Ecto plants only form relationships with specific ectomycorrhizae species.

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ• Are there any plants that are non-

mycorrhizal or non-endo/ectomycorrhizal?– Most Orchids – Unique mycorrhizae species– Ericaceae (Azalea, Rhododendron, Heather,

Pieris, Blueberry) – Unique mycorrhizae species

– Caryophyllaceae (Dianthus, Carnation), Brassicas, Protea, Mustards, Spinach (sometimes), Bromeliads – non-mycorrhizal

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• Can I still use fungicides if I apply mycorrhizae?– Yes. An extensive list of fungicides may be used

with mycorrhizae without negative impact.• The longer you wait to apply an “avoid use” fungicide

after mycorrhizal inoculation, the better it will be for the mycorrhizal establishment and development.

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• What is the recommended fertility program if I use mycorrhizae?– For best results, we recommend keeping N levels

at 200 ppm or lower and P2O5 levels at 100 ppm or lower while using mycorrhizae.

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• Can mycorrhizae be used with other biological products?– Yes. Mycorrhizae work well with other biological

products, such as bacteria and Trichoderma (RootShield).

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MYCORRHIZAE FAQ

• How do mycorrhizae differ from other microbes?– Without the plant, they cannot live – Long-term impact– Thrive in a diverse range of conditions– Store nutrients and water for later use

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Please stop by our boothand say hello!

Booth 33057/6/2018 ©2018 Mycorrhizal Applications 38

TECHNICAL SUPPORTDr. Jozsef Racsko

866-476-7800 (PST)Jozsef.Racsko©mycorrhizae.com

Amy Schroeder541-921-3644 (EST)

Amy.Schroeder©mycorrhizae.com

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