Thread: Mycorrhizae
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Old 9-Oct-2001   #1
Soildoc
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Mycorrhizae

We got started on this subject in the Fall Feeding thread so I thought I'd follow Jim's lead and start a new thread for mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae are fungi that form a mutually beneficial association with roots of higher plants. Mycos invade a plant root similarly to an infections by pathogenic fungi. The difference is that both the plant and the fungi get something out of the deal. The mycos get sugars from the plants and the plants get more nutrients (especially P). The mycos act like root extensions. They can also limit the amount of salts and other toxins floating around. In a bonsai pot, where the roots have penetrated most of the soil volume, I don't think the mycos will help that much but they sure won't hurt at all. In pot where the roots haven't penetrated the entire soil volume, they can be extremely beneficial.
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