What Are Mycos? Down To Earth Fertilizers

Summary

Mycorrhizal fungi, also known as mykos, form a symbiotic relationship with plants, benefiting gardeners by improving nutrient and water absorption. These fungi, belonging to the same group as mushrooms, grow root-like structures called hyphae that extend beyond the plant’s roots, accessing nutrients in small spaces. This partnership, which dates back 450 million years, allows plants to thrive by exchanging sugars for essential resources. However, some plants, like those in the Brassica family, do not benefit from this relationship. Modern soils, especially near new developments, often lack these fungi due to human activity.

Takeaways

• 🍄 The term 'mycorrhizal fungi' comes from 'myko' (Latin for fungus) and 'rhiza' (Greek for root).
• 🌱 Mycorrhizal fungi form beneficial relationships with plants, helping them access nutrients and water.
• 🍎 A mushroom is the fruiting body of a larger fungus organism, similar to an apple growing from a tree.
• 🔬 Hyphae, the root-like tubes of fungi, are tiny, often invisible to the human eye, and can be as thin as a tenth to a fiftieth of a human hair.
• 🤝 Mycorrhizal fungi and plants have had a symbiotic relationship for over 450 million years, exchanging sugars and nutrients.
• 🌍 Around 80-95% of land plants benefit from mycorrhizal relationships, improving their nutrient intake and growth.
• 🚰 Mycorrhizal fungi help plant roots reach nutrients and water that they otherwise couldn't access, improving plant health.
• 🛑 Some plants, such as those in the Brassica family (broccoli, cabbage, etc.), do not benefit from mycorrhizal fungi.
• 🚜 Human activities like the use of pesticides, fungicides, and heavy machinery have reduced mycorrhizal fungi populations in many soils.
• 🌱 Commercial mycorrhizal fungi products are now available to help reintroduce these organisms into depleted garden soils.

Q & A

What is the origin of the term 'mycorrhizal'?

The term 'mycorrhizal' comes from the combination of two words: 'myko,' derived from the Latin word for fungus, and 'rhiza,' from the Greek word for root.

What role do mycorrhizal fungi play in gardening?

Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plants, helping them absorb nutrients and water from the soil in exchange for sugars produced by the plant through photosynthesis.

How do mycorrhizal fungi compare to mushrooms?

Both mycorrhizal fungi and mushrooms belong to the fungus kingdom. A mushroom is the fruiting body of a larger organism, while mycorrhizal fungi consist of a network of root-like tubes called hyphae.

What are hyphae, and how small are they?

Hyphae are root-like structures of fungi that form an interconnected network. They are very small, between one-tenth to one-fiftieth the width of a human hair, making many of them invisible to the naked eye.

When did plants and fungi first form a symbiotic relationship?

Plants and fungi first formed a symbiotic, or mutually beneficial, relationship more than 450 million years ago.

What is the benefit of mycorrhizal fungi to plants?

Mycorrhizal fungi help plants access nutrients and water from the soil, particularly in areas that the plant's roots cannot reach. In return, the plant provides the fungi with sugars produced during photosynthesis.

What happens if a seed is planted in soil without mycorrhizal fungi?

If planted without mycorrhizal fungi, the plant's roots must expend more energy searching for nutrients and water, which limits their access to these resources and reduces growth efficiency.

How do mycorrhizal fungi connect with a plant's roots?

When a plant sends out signals, nearby mycorrhizal fungi respond by growing hyphae toward the plant's roots. Once they reach the roots, they penetrate them and begin exchanging nutrients with the plant.

Which plants do not benefit from mycorrhizal fungi?

Certain plants, such as those in the Brassica family (e.g., broccoli, cabbage, radishes, and kale), as well as beets, chard, blueberries, cranberries, and rhododendrons, do not benefit from mycorrhizal fungi.

Why do some soils lack mycorrhizal fungi, and what can gardeners do to restore them?

Soils can lack mycorrhizal fungi due to factors like the use of fungicides, pesticides, heavy machinery, or leaving soil bare for extended periods. Gardeners can restore mycorrhizal populations by applying commercial mixes that reintroduce these organisms.