Mycorrhizal Fungi

Mycorrhizal fungi form relationships with over 95% of plant species. They surround and even enter the roots of these plants, and provide nutrients such as phosphorus (and even nitrogen) and water to plants in exchange for carbohydrates.

In fact, some plants may trade more than 50% of their carbohydrates with these fungi and other microbes. The fungi also greatly improve soil characteristics.

In soil that has recently been tilled/worked, compacted, water logged, or treated with chemicals, mycorrhiza will be lacking. They are not present in imported topsoil or potting soil mix, either, and they cannot be multiplied in compost.

In any of these scenarios, they need to be added back to the soil. They are essential to optimum plant health and should always be used whenever planting or seeding.

My clients and I have both seen huge benefits from using mycorrhial fungi when planting. The product seems to be especially helpful in drastically improving the quality and health of a newly seeded lawn.

Mycorrhizae Categories

There are two main categories of mycorrhizae relationships: Endomycorrhizal fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) form relationships with over 90% of plants (including turf grasses). Ectomycorrhizal fungi form relationships with only about 2% of plants, but some of them are quite common.

Here is a list (pdf) of just some of the plants forming relationships.

Please note that there are a few plants that do not respond to either endo or ectomycorrhizal fungi, namely members of the brassica family (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, and rutabaga); members of the Ericaceae family (rhododendron and azalea, blueberry, cranberry, heath and heather, huckleberry, lingonberry), as well as beets, mustard, spinach, and orchids.

Mycorrhizal Fungi Products

Endomycorrhizal Fungi

Myke Pro WP (also sold as Myke Pro Turf or Greenhouse) is a highly concentrated wettable powder, used for seeding, laying sod, potting up, taking cuttings, and planting/transplanting/dividing plants, or watering into established lawns and gardens. Suitable for most annuals, herbs, flowers, and vegetables; turf grasses and ornamental grasses; ferns; perennial flowers; most fruit trees; most deciduous and broadleaf evergreen ornamental trees and shrubs.

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Endo/Ectomycorrhizal Fungi

Endo/Ecto - Myke Pro Landscape, granular form, used for propagating, planting, or transplanting those woody plants that benefit from ectomycorrhizal fungi (or take both endo and ecto), such as: most conifers including hedge cedars, as well as alder, arbutus, beech, birch, chestnut, eucalyptus, filbert/hazelnut, hickory, linden, oak, pecan, poplar, and willow.

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Mycorrhizal Fungi Applications

The best time to apply mycorrhizal inoculant is at the plant production stage, but since your plants probably didn't have that done, the next best time is at planting/seeding/sodding. This will promote contact between the fungi and plant roots.

Rub the product directly on the root ball if possible, or sprinkle in the planting hole. For seed, mix it dry with the seed before spreading. For sod, spray it on the soil right before you lay the sod, or even better, right on the bottom of the sod (I know that can be time consuming). You could spray it on after as well.

The other choice would be to apply the mycorrhizal fungi products to existing landscapes. The powder form is great for going through a sprayer and infiltrating into the soil. A watering can will also work.

For turf, it is best to do this right after aerating so that more of the spores get down to the roots. Otherwise, it can be watered in, but will not be as effective on heavy clay or very compacted soils.

The granular product is too coarse for a sprayer or even a watering can, and should be worked directly into the soil around the plant's feeder root zone.

The powder can be mixed with other microbial products and organic fertilizers and applied at the same time, although there is no benefit to foliar feeding with mycorrhizal fungi products, as they need to touch the roots.

Application rates for powdered endo:

Mix with tepid water to avoid temperature shock, or mix into compost for even distribution in the soil.

If mixing with water, use 200 liters for a full bag of 600g, or 100 liters for 300g, or 50 liters for the starter size of 150g; or less for fractions of those. Start by pre-mixing the powder with a small amount of water and dilute gradually.

Keep agitating the tank (or shake the watering can or spray bottle) so the product stays in suspension when using a sprayer. Should the spray equipment clog, remove the filter.

Applying the liquid:

• 50 ml per cutting
• 80 ml per 4" pot
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) per 1gal container
• 250 ml (1 cup) per 2gal container
• 625 ml (2 1/2 cups) per 5gal container
• 1250 ml (5 cups) per 10gal container

Or pour into trenches or holes around plant root zones at approximately these rates.

Applying to turf:

Use 30g of powder mixed with 10 liters of water per 1,000 square feet. 150g covers 5,000 sq ft; 300g covers 10,000 sq ft; 600g covers 20,000 sq ft. Especially effective after aeration, before backfilling with compost.

When seeding turf, mix dry powder uniformly with seeds at 30g per 1,000 sq ft.

Applying dry powder to plants and soil:

Use approximately one teaspoon per tree, a pinch per shrub or flower, or a quick root dip for a vegetable start. It is easier to mix the product with finely screened compost for even distribution.

Application rates for granular endo/ecto:

• 500g = 1.5 liters
• 1 tbsp (15ml) per plug/seedling (one bag treats 100)
• 2 tbsp (30ml) per 4" pot (one bag treats 50)
• 4 tbsp (60ml) per 1 gal container (one bag treats 25)
• 1/2 cup (125ml) per 2 gal container (one bag treats 12 to 13)
• 1 cup (250ml) per 5 gal container (one bag treats 6)