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Roanoke Il

Mycorrhizae

The mycorrhizae (my-cor-ry-'zee) group of fungi live either on or in plant roots and act to extend the reach of root hairs into the soil. Mycorrhizae increase the plant's uptake of water and nutrients, especially in less fertile soils. The superfine, root-like structures of these fungi are more extensive and more effective than plant root hairs at absorbing phosphorus, and other nutrients as well. Phosphorus moves slowly in soils but the fungi can absorb it much faster than the plant alone can. This enhanced root feeding makes it possible to reduce fertilizer rates for plants having a healthy colony of mychorrhizae. Some plants including citrus, grapes, avocados, and bananas, are dependent on mycorrhiza fungi. Others that benefit from having them are artichokes, melons, tomatoes, peppers, and squash.

Roots colonized by mycorrhizae are less likely to be penetrated by root-feeding nematodes since the pest cannot pierce the thick fungal network.

Mycorrhizae also produce hormones and antibiotics, which enhance root growth and provide disease suppression. The fungi benefit from plant association by taking nutrients and carbohydrates from the plant roots they live in.

In soils where mychorrhizae have been killed off, an inoculation may be beneficial. In healthy soils where they already exist there will be little or no benefit to adding more. There are dozens of mychorrizae species in nature. Additionally, the species found on plant roots may change as the plant matures. If those that are available are of the correct species, and are handled properly at all stages, they offer interesting potential benefits to farmers in well-managed systems. Generally it is preferred to inoculate with several species rather than a single one. For information on rhizobial and mycorrhizal inoculation for disease suppression, request the ATTRA publication Sustainable Management of Soil-borne Plant Diseases.

1/1/2005 9:26:05 AM

ENGLAND

Mark
Good thread to start, i was only thinking of this a few days ago. I have no idea if we can get this product here in the UK but if any UK Growers do know then Please post info here for all of us Uk growers to see. Note: I have googled the word Mychorrhizea but did not fing a supplier here.

1/1/2005 10:24:03 AM

ontario

Mark its been used by many growers arlready and it works..

1/1/2005 11:09:48 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Mike,

Last year I got Biovam from T&J Enterprises in the U.S.They sell it in quite a small quantity which I used to roll the seeds in.
Joel Holland will also send to the U.K. but it is a larger weight and incurs a lot more postage.

1/1/2005 4:03:39 PM

Ohio

Any one have a link to this, this sounds pretty good to me.

1/1/2005 4:29:44 PM

ENGLAND

Mark
Thanks for that info buddy and happy New Year. I am looking at trying to find something that is available in the UK as i will be using the product in planting site prep and throught season use as well. I may give some of the commercial nursery suppliers a call and see what they can come up with.

1/1/2005 4:37:05 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I just put my order in with T&J today, how ironic!
http://www.tandjenterprises.com/cgi-bin/ustorekeeper.pl
http://www.tandjenterprises.com/#BioVam%20Products

1/1/2005 4:52:47 PM

Ohio

thanks tom

1/2/2005 4:40:38 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Happy New Year to you as well Mike.

I may have found a UK supplier.

http://www.plantworksuk.co.uk/mycorhhiza/frameset.html

another company called Canna UK supply TRICHODERMA Harzianum which is one of the ingredients in some myco formulations.I have seen some of their products at my local hydroponics store.

1/2/2005 1:04:21 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

The plantworks products are called rootgrow and we can buy them online here.

http://www.friendlyfungi.co.uk/cat1_1.htm

1/2/2005 1:12:24 PM

ENGLAND

Mark
Great research and Thankyou, i guess that Google works better down in your part of the Country. LOL

regards
Mike

1/2/2005 3:11:07 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

Mike,
I can send you some from Germany before spring
if you don't find any.
Michel

1/3/2005 1:23:27 AM