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Frequently Asked Questions

 


Q:          What is Mycorrhiza?
A:          "Myco" and "rhiza" are derived from the Greek language meaning "fungus" and "root". Mycorrhiza defines the mutual symbiotic and beneficial relationship between the plant roots and the soil fungi. The hyphae (mycelium) of the mycorrhizal fungi increase the surface of the combined root system in contact with the soil up to 100 fold. Thus the uptake of nutrients and water from the soil are significantly improved.

 

Q:          What is the difference between Ecto and Endo mycorrhiza?
A:          The ectomycorrhiza is an association that takes place at the surface of the roots. Ectomycorrhizal fungi can reproduce themselves also in absence of a plant host.

Endomycorrizal fungi penetrate into the root cortex and form arbuscules within the root cells. They only can reproduce themselves when in presence of a host plant. They are "obligate symbionts". MYCOSYM's products are all made of endomycorrhyzal fungi. Endomyorrhizal fungi are also called AM Fungi (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal) or VAM Fungi (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhyzal).

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Q:          Do all plants enter into a mycorrhizal symbiosis?
A:           Not all, but most. It is estimated that more than 90% of the plant species form a mycorrhizal symbiosis. Among the species not forming endomycorrhizal symbiosis are the brassicacea (cabbage, canola, broccoli, etc), and conifers (e.g. pine trees).


Q:          What is the benefit of a mycorrhizal symbiosis for the plant?
A:           Plants supported by mycorrhizae are more vigorous and better adapted to growth under adverse conditions, e.g. in distressed soils due to drought or high salinity, or under biotic stress. Furthermore the recovery from stress conditions such as drought is faster in mycorrhized plants.


Q:          Where in nature do mycorrhiza fungi occur and enter into symbiosis?
A:          Mycorrhizal fungi can be found all around the world. Approximately 200 different species of endomycorrhizal fungi have been described.

They remain native in undisturbed soils, But ploughing, grazing, plant protection measures, chemically fertilization, too intensive artificial irrigation, monoculture, etc. will reduce or even destroy the natural level of mycorrhizal fungi contained in the soil.

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Q:           Are mycorrhiza products fertilizers?
A:           No, such products enable the plant to form the mycorrhizal symbiosis, leading to improved uptake of nutrients.  Fertilizers supply the nutrients to the soil in order to “feed” the plants. These are two disctinct functions.

 

Q:          Are fungicide applications compatible with mycorrhizae?
A:           Yes and No! In this regard scientific reports are quite disparate. It is necessary to distinguish between two periods of time: at the esablishment of the symbiosis, and during the remaiing plant life.

Systemic fungicides may be playing an adverse role during the formation of the mycorrhizal symbiosis. Therefore, during the first 3-6 weeks after plantation or tranplantation, the use of systemic fungicides with root action should be avoided.

Once the mycorrhiza is established, the use of fungicide is no more critical.

In any case, contact fungicides have no known negative impact.


Q:           How long are lasting mycorrhizal symbiotic effects in crops?
A:           Given that the symbiosis is established, the lasting of the effects depends on the specific Crop Management System in place. As a general rule, the symbiosis takes place at an early stage and lasts for the life span of the plant.


Q:           What is the best point in time to apply mycorrhiza products?
A:           For short cycle, annual plants it is best to apply early, at the nusery stage. Established plants can be vitalized by applying into the root zone.

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Q:          What is MYCOSYM TRI-TON®
A:          MYCOSYM TRI-TON is the registered trademark of MYCOSYM International AG in Switzerland for a pure endomycorrhizal product, suitable for use in agriculture, gardening and landscaping, for annual and perennial plants.


Q:          How long can MYCOSYM TRI-TON be stored?
A:           Under dry conditions at ambient temperatures it can be stored for more than 2 years. Product with more than 5 years shelf life has been sucessfully used.

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Q:          Are there Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in MYCOSYM's products?
A:           No. Also, GMO are not used in any of our manufacturing processes.

 

Q:          Are your products certified for organic agriculture?
A:           Yes. Our products are listed as authorized input for organic agriculture by the "Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL" (www.fibl.org) and the Andalusian association CAAE (recognized by the EU and the USDA).

 

Q:          Is it possible to apply mycorrhizal products by irrigation?
A:          No, and definitely no!
Wrong messages are given by some self named experts in relation with application through irrigation systems. MYCOSYM would like to make this issue clear:

  • There is no need for irrigation application when treating at the nursery stage.
  • So far no adequate formulation for fertirrigation has been shown on the market, no dispersibility, no suspensibility: the product may not reach each nozzle of the irrigation system.
  • The active particles (spores, residual root fragments) of the product are of large size; they remain at the soil surface, and will not easily percolate into the ground to reach the plant roots

Thus: for a one time investment and with an already easy product application (manual or mechanized), it is not necessary to take the risk of an unsuccessful application through the irrigation system.

Bring the product in the vicinity of the roots; don’t wait for ever that it migrates there!

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Q:          How compatible are mycorrhiza and trichoderma?

A:          Mycorrhiza is a state of symbiosis between plant roots and a fungus.

Trichoderma is a totally other type of soil fungus: it grows near and on the root surface but does not form simbiosis. It acts as an antagonist to other soil fungi, such as pathogens, and therefore contributes to the protection of the plant from soil borne diseases.

The scientific literature contains articles about synergism between trichoderma and mycorrhiza and about competition between the two. A rather confusing situation!

 

The main points to consider are:

  • When a plant has a well established mycorrhiza, the presence of trichoderma may be an additional benefit to the plant and to the rhizosphere, with no or low impact on the mycorrhiza itself.
  • If large quantities of trichoderma are present before the application of a mycorrhizal inoculum, then the antagonist role will inhibit the establishment of the mycorrhiza.
  • The mycorrhiza establishment can be easily verified by a simple laboratory procedure. On the contrary, no method is readily available to put in evidence the actual presence and efficacy of trichoderma in the ground.
  • Mycorrhiza should be built as early as possible in the plant life cycle. One application is enough: once established the mycorrhiza maintains itself. Trichoderma products may require repeated applications to maintain a certain level in the ground.

For those evident reasons MYCOSYM does not offer products as mixture of mycorrhizal inoculum with trichoderma.

Therefore it is recommended to apply MYCOSYM's products and let some time (2-4 weeks) for the mycorrhiza establishment before any trichoderma application.

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