Nelson Bays Mycorrhizas www.mycorrhizas.co.nz

MYCORRHIZAL INOCCULA: 

"Fresh is best", .. This maxim is true when we consume  fresh, vitamin-rich & tasty food or juice, & equally so for the collection & successful use of  mycorrhjizal fungal propagules (inoccula) including: 

1. thread-like fungal 'mycelia', aka fungal 'hyphae' 

2. fungal spores

3. plant roots containing fungal mycelia.

 

Mycorrhizal fungal propaguules (inoccula) need to be placed in close proximity to the roots of suitable host plant roots in order to establish fungal-root symbioses (partnerships). 

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Mycorrhizal propagules have a very limited 'shelf-life', commercially available 'freeze-dried' fungal spores must be kept in cool & dry conditions.  Fungal spores that become wet will germinate, but will eventually die unless they make contact with a suitable 'host' plant root & can successfully form a symbiosis.

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Whilst there is substantial variation in the ecological nature of plant-fungal symbioses (partnerships) & the biological needs for energy & nutrients of different types of mycorrhizal fungi, in general most mycorrhizal fungal partners need to find a suitable plant root partnership in order to survive , thrive & reproduce. 

 

In exchange for plant-photosynthesis derived sugars, mycorrhizal fungi provide their plant 'hosts' with mineral nutrients and water. ​Arbuscular mycorhhizal fungi (AMF) have an ecological dependence on energy sources provided by a living plant host & thus AMF are called 'obligate biotrophs'. Some mycorrhizal fungi, i.e. Ecto-mycorrhizal (EcM) & Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (ErM) can be iether 'biotrophs' (live feeders) & or 'saprotrophs' (rotting feeders) because they may obtain energy from living plant partnerships & or by decomposing dead organisms or non-living soil organic matter.

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In contrast to the energy needs of most mycorrhizal fungi, most plants contain endo-symbiotic chloroplasts that use photosynthesis to produce their host plant's energy needs.  With few exceptions including tiny orchid seeds which initially are parasitic on specailised Orchidaceous  mycorrhizal fungi, most plants are able to survive & reproduce if soils or growing media that contains adequate plant available nutrients, & or if humans supply required nutrient (fertilsers) inputs to replace nutrients otherwise supplied by their fungal-root partnerships.

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Recent research reviews & data 'meta-analyses' have shown that the most effective use of mycorrhizal fungal inoccula is achieved between of plant & fungal symbionts (partners) that have been 'eco-sourced' from the same or similar soils, regions & ecosystems, ... analogous to sports teams with a so-called 'home-field advantage', see 

1. Revillini et al (April 2016)  "The role of locally adapted mycorrhizas and rhizobacteria in plant-soil feedback systems", Article in Functional Ecology  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/30125032 

2. Rua et al (June 2016) "Home-field advantage? evidence of local adaptation among plants, soil, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi through meta-analysis",  Article in BMC Evolutionary Biology https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303895524

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