Plant Health Care Inc.
An Introduction to Mycorrhizae
Prepared for: PHC Technology Seminars
June 2007
Donald H. Marx Ph.D.
Mycorrhizae
(fungus-root)
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Endo
Ecto
mycorrhizae
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Mycorrhizae are mutually
beneficial associations
between the fine feeder roots
of plants and certain highly
specialized root inhabiting
fungi.
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Non-mycorrhizal
pine root - ¾ inch
cutting growing
to the right.
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Mycorrhizal pine root
Notice the mycelia, these
can grow many feet from
tree in areas with no
obstructions.
Mycorrhizal fungi
... a natural partner with plants
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Paxton, OH 1969, been planted several years in a row
unsuccessfully. Notice the lush vegetation. The water has no
fish and few plants. pH of water is 3.3. From run of of heavy
metals.
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Paxton, OH, 1990, site planted with seedlings
inoculated at nursery with Pisalithus tinctorious (PT)
Ectomycorrhizae
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Paxton, OH 1991, 2 years later. Notice vegetation
around the lake as well in the lake. Trees are
controlling the run off of heavy metals.
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Paxton, OH, 1995 5 years later. Lake has been stocked
with fish. pH is such it will now support aquatic life.
Heavy metals not leaching into the water.
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The Importance of
VAM
Field trials have shown that VAM increase yields
of most agricultural crops grown under
standard cultural practices
VAM increase the ability of plants to absorb
water, nitrogen and minerals by increasing the
effective absorbing surface area of root systems
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Absorbing Root Area Comparison
+/- Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM)
Nonmycorrhizal roots of a
fescue plant. Red stain indicates
the effective absorbing area.
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VAM roots of fescue. The red stain
indicates the effective absorbing area.
Photos by Darius Malinowski, ARS/USDA
How VAM Work
• Spores form as swellings
on hyphae in the soil or
in roots.
• Spores apparently form
when carbon is
remobilized from roots
• Spores function as
energy storage
structures, resting
stages and propagules.
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How VAM Work
• Soil hyphae are the long
slender, tube- like part of
the VAM fungi
• Hyphae establish contact
with roots
• Hyphae penetrate the
root’s surface
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Economic Benefits of Mycorrhizal Fungi
Effect of mycorrhizal fungi on tomato yields in Florida.
Treatment (18 acres)
No. Bins/acre
No. Boxes/acre ($6)
Standard
53
2,014
mycorrhizal fungi
67
2,546 (22 % or $4,256)
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PHC Development Milestones
Products:
Applications:
• P. tinctorious spores: 1994
• Minelands: 1994
• Yuccah: 1995
• Urban landscapes,
US and Europe:
1996
• VAM spores: 1996
• Tests with Myconate: 1999
• Purchase of VAMTech: 2004
• Purchase of harpins: 2007
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• Vegetable markets
opened up: 1998
• Row crops trials:
2003