Using Mycorrhizae and Mushrooms To Improve Soil Fertility and Plant Health

Tradd CotterMushroom Mountain, LLC

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SYMBIOSIS

Interkingdom dependence is universal• Mycorrhiza (pl.=mycorrhizae)• defined as a symbiotic relationshipbetween the roots of a plant and afungus.• Includes plants that do not have roots, such as

bryophytes (mosses and liverworts)..

Mycorrhiza• Obligate symbionts• Symbiotic association involving mycobiont and

photobiont– Mycobiont obtains carbohydrates, vitamins, and spore

germination stimulated by root exudates• Up to 20% of the host’s fixed carbon can be “captured” by the

fungus– Plant obtains benefits from increased mineral and

nutrient uptake, increased water uptake, and protection from root pathogen• up to 80% of plant’s phosphorus needs and 25% of its nitrogen

obtained via the fungus

Function of Mycorrhizae

• “CARBON TRADING” with plant hosts in exchange for phosphorous, nitrogen, and many other elements plants cannot absorb or fix.

• Up to 30% more Nitrogen • Up to 60% more Phosphates

Function of Mycorrhizae

• Water transport and retention• Root Pathogen Resistance• Collaboration with other microbes (bacteria,

protozoa, nematodes…)• Increases soil porosity

• thick, course mycelium may extends out from roots into soil, infect other roots

• sometimes bears Chlamydopsores– thick-walled, multinucleate globose spores; resting structures

Spores of Glomus spp.

TYPES OF MYCORRHIZAE

Woody Trees and Shrubs

Ectomycorrhizal fungi – 3 + fungi – Pisolithus tinctorius, Scleroderma and multiple species of Rhizopogon.

Also include >5,000 mushroom species!Porcini, Truffles, Chanterelles…

Annual and Perennial Veggies

• Endomycorrhizal fungi – 7 fungal species

– Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus dussii, Glomus clarum, Glomus deserticola, Glomus microaggregatum.

Mycorrhizal symbiont?

• Trichoderma – 6 fungal species that include Trichoderma (6 strains), Gliocladium virens (2 strains), Trichoderma harzianum (2 strains), Trichoderma viride (2 strains), – A beneficial fungus that is used to enhance mycorrhizal colonization and protect the roots.

TYPES OF INOCULANTS

POWDER

GRANULES

LIQUID

TYPES OF INOCULANTS

POWDER

Longer shelf life compared to liquids.

Can be stored for up to a year. Longer if kept sealed at 38 degrees F

Used for seed inoculation or to make a solution for repeated watering applications

TYPES OF INOCULANTS

GRANULES

Spores carried by volcanic rock or other inert particles.

CAREFUL! You are buying by the pound.

Used for surface inoculation root application at planting.

Often contain additional fertilizers or stimulants.

TYPES OF INOCULANTS

LIQUIDShorter shelf life compared to powders and granules

Use immediately or store at 38 degrees F

Require long, static contact time with root tips for root infection to occur

TIPS FOR INOCULANTS

The earlier the better

Inoculate seed or seedling before the root system has encountered pathogens

You need more inoculant once the plant’s root system develops

SAVE $$$$$$$$$

MYCOFILTRATION

biological contaminantsE.coli O157:H7– Fecal coliform bacteria commonly causing serious illness when ingested. Common in all regions of the world.

Trypanosoma cruzi - Protozoan parasite known to cause “Chaga’s Disease” primarily in tropical South American countries. Over 10 million affected. 10,000 people die every year (WHO, 2008).

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KING STROPHARIA

Stropharia rugoso-annulata

PRIOR RESEARCH

Reduced fecal coliforms 100 to 1 in as little as 24 hours using mycological filters.Can be used to create composting for manures, human waste

MYCOFILTRATION

Test # 3

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