Mycorrhizae in the world
Of Greek origin the meaning of the word: myco=mushroom, rhiza=root, i.e. fungal root.
The presence of mycorrhizae was first recognised at the end of the 19th century, and since then they have been the subject of more in-depth research. The first mycorrhizal relationships probably developed in the Devonian period, around 460 million years ago, when terrestrial plants appeared. The fungi first lived in the soil and had already established a symbiotic relationship with the roots of ancient plants, helping them to colonise the land by helping primitive rooted plants to colonise the land. The fungi provided nutrients (mainly phosphorus) to the plants, while the plants provided carbohydrates in return, which they produced through photosynthesis. This is still the case today.
As far as we know today, 82 % of plants live with some form of mycorrhiza. The remaining 18 or so % (non-mycorrhizal plants (NM)) do not need them because they usually have some alternative nutrient uptake mechanism. They can therefore take up phosphorus, zinc, molybdenum and copper from the soil without mycorrhizae. Such plants include, for example, most of the watercresses, pigweeds, crucifers, carnations, gooseflies, bittercresses, prosperms, and some genera of the palcaceae family.
| There are about 200-230 species of mycorrhizae in the world, which are classified into several groups, mainly based on their appearance: |
1. ENDOMICORRHIZA (AM), about 100 species in total
Within the endomycorrhizal arbuscular (AM), the most common type, which create arbuscules within the roots of the plant and promote metabolism.
Another type of endomycorrhizae: ericoid mycorrhizae (ERM). Mainly vocal species (Ericaceae) family of plants, such as. Erica, Calluna, Rhododendron, Azalea, Vaccinium. Here, too, the fungi penetrate the root cells and form a special hyphal layer that helps plants in nutrient-poor, acidic soils.
additional type. orchid mycorrhiza (OM), occur only on orchids. Orchid seeds cannot germinate without the presence of the fungus.
2. ECTOMICORRHIZA (ECM)
The hyphae of these mycorrhizae do not penetrate the cell wall of the plant root, but only form a sheath around the root and a so-called Hartig's mesh in the intercellular passages. It is mainly a type typical of woody plants, e.g. Fagus, Pinus, Eucalyptus and other temperate forest-forming trees. They are most often seen as hat fungi.
Did you know? In forests, fungal threads connect the roots of several neighbouring trees, through which plants also exchange materials and information with each other.
3. ECTENDOMICORRHIZA
Ectendomycorrhiza are a mixture of the two species listed above, and typically live on the roots of plants not found in our country.
What are the mutual benefits?
The fungus supplies the plant with water and nutrients, as well as information, in return for sugars, protein and fats from photosynthesis. Since the mycorrhiza lives with (sometimes inside) the plant, as long as the plant is alive, the fungus will support it. If, for some reason, the plant dies, it can only survive for a short time without its 'host', a few weeks or months depending on the circumstances.
Why is the plant useful?
- The mycorrhizal hyphae can grow much longer than the root hairs, so they can transport water and nutrients from further away. It is also much smaller, so it can reach places where the plant's roots cannot. The mushroom tissue increases the plant's capacity to absorb water and nutrients to around 700 gauge.
- Mycorrhiza produce glomalin protein (hence the name Glomus name), which acts as a glue to stick soil particles together, making the soil fine and crumbly for the plant.
- It's a relationship for life!
The mycorrhiza should be placed in the soil, very close to the roots, at a maximum distance of a few centimetres. The plant senses the presence of the fungus in the soil, invites it in and symbiosis is established.
Micorrhiza products
MikoMax Garden
MikoMax Garden mycorrhizae in granules, total 500.000 germs/kg
- Funneliformis mosseae (Glomus mosseae)
- Funneliformis geosporus (Glomus geosporum)
- Claroideoglomus clarodeum (Glomus claroideum)
- Rhizophagus intraradices (Glomus intraradices)
- Glomus micoraggregarum
- Diversispora versiformis
All mycorrhizal strains of Mikomax are endomycorrhizal (but not ericoid and orchid), so it colonises most of our native plants, with the exceptions listed above.
InoMyc
Ino Myc liquid found in mycorrhiza: 1 million germs per litre
Rhizophagus irregularis (previously Glomus intraradices) is the most common and best known mycorrhizal species. Due to its liquid form, it can also be rooted afterwards. 1 dl dissolved in 10 litres of water approx. 400 m2 sufficient quantity for the surface.
