Types Of Mycorrhizal Fungi – Your Complete Guide To Supercharging

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right, but your plants just seem… stuck? You give them sun, water, and good soil, but they lack that vibrant, thriving energy you see in show gardens. It’s a common frustration that leaves many gardeners scratching their heads.

I’m here to let you in on a little secret, an invisible powerhouse that works beneath the soil. I promise that understanding this one concept can fundamentally change the way you garden, leading to healthier, more resilient, and more productive plants with less effort.

We’re going to dive into the fascinating world of the soil’s “underground internet.” In this complete types of mycorrhizal fungi guide, you’ll discover what these amazing organisms are, the key types you need to know, the incredible benefits they offer, and exactly how to put them to work in your own garden. Let’s get our hands dirty!

What Are Mycorrhizal Fungi, Anyway? The Secret Life of Your Soil

Okay, let’s break it down. Don’t let the scientific name intimidate you! “Myco” means fungus, and “rhiza” means root. So, mycorrhizae are simply “fungus-roots.”

Think of it as a beautiful partnership. In nature, over 90% of plants form a symbiotic relationship with these beneficial fungi. It’s a classic win-win deal happening right under your feet.

Here’s how it works:

  • The Plant’s Contribution: The plant performs photosynthesis, creating sugars (carbohydrates) for energy. It shares a portion of these sugars with the fungus, providing it with a reliable food source.
  • The Fungus’s Contribution: In return, the fungus extends its vast network of microscopic threads, called hyphae, far into the soil. This network acts as a massive extension of the plant’s own root system, sometimes increasing its reach by hundreds or even thousands of times!

This fungal network is incredibly efficient at mining the soil for nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen and hard-to-reach water, delivering them directly back to the plant. It’s the ultimate example of eco-friendly types of mycorrhizal fungi at work, creating a living, self-sustaining soil ecosystem.

The Two Main Players: Understanding the Key Types of Mycorrhizal Fungi

While there are thousands of species, for us gardeners, they mostly fall into two major categories. Knowing the difference is key to choosing the right product and getting the best results for your specific plants.

Ectomycorrhizal (EM) Fungi: The Forest Specialists

As their name suggests (“ecto” means outside), these fungi form a dense sheath, or mantle, around the outside of the plant’s roots. Think of it like a cozy, fuzzy sweater that protects and feeds the root.

From this sheath, the fungal hyphae extend into the soil. Ectomycorrhizal fungi are the dominant type in forest ecosystems. They form partnerships almost exclusively with woody trees and shrubs.

Common Plant Partners for EM Fungi:

  • Pines, Spruces, and Firs
  • Oaks and Beeches
  • Birches and Alders
  • Eucalyptus

If you’re planting trees, especially conifers or hardwoods, an inoculant containing EM fungi is your best bet for helping them establish quickly and thrive for years to come.

Endomycorrhizal (AM) Fungi: The Garden Generalists

This is the group most of us will be working with! “Endo” means inside, and these fungi work by actually penetrating into the cells of the plant’s roots. Don’t worry—it’s a welcome visit!

Inside the root cells, they form incredible, tree-like structures called arbuscules, which are the primary sites for nutrient exchange. Because of this, they are often called Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF).

READ MORE  Trellis For Trees: A Complete Guide To Espalier & Structural Support

Endomycorrhizal fungi are the true workhorses of the gardening world. They form associations with an astonishing 85-90% of all land plants. If you’re growing vegetables, fruits, flowers, or grasses, this is the type you need.

Common Plant Partners for AM Fungi:

  • Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, corn, squash, lettuce, garlic, onions
  • Fruits: Berries, apples, peaches, citrus, grapes
  • Flowers: Roses, sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias, echinacea
  • Grasses: Most lawn grasses and ornamental grasses

Pro Tip: A few plant families, like the Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale) and Chenopods (beets, spinach, chard), do not form mycorrhizal relationships. They won’t be harmed by the fungi, but they won’t benefit either!

Unlocking the Incredible Benefits of Mycorrhizal Fungi for Your Garden

So, why should you go to the trouble of introducing these fungi? The benefits of types of mycorrhizal fungi are truly game-changing and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient garden.

  • Massively Improved Nutrient Uptake: This is the big one. The fungal network is especially good at unlocking phosphorus, a vital nutrient for root development and flowering that is often “stuck” in the soil. This means more flowers and bigger harvests!
  • Enhanced Drought Resistance: The vast hyphal network acts like a sponge, exploring a much larger volume of soil for water and bringing it back to the plant. Your plants will be much happier during those hot, dry summer spells.
  • Reduced Transplant Shock: We’ve all seen a new plant wilt and struggle after being moved. Mycorrhizae help new roots establish almost immediately, drastically reducing the stress of transplanting.
  • Better Soil Structure: The fungal hyphae produce a sticky substance called glomalin, which acts like a super-glue, binding tiny soil particles into larger aggregates. This improves soil aeration, drainage, and stability, preventing erosion.
  • Natural Disease Suppression: A healthy, robust plant is its own best defense. By ensuring the plant is well-fed and hydrated, mycorrhizae boost its natural immunity. The fungal network can also form a physical barrier against soil-borne pathogens.

A Practical Guide: How to Use Types of Mycorrhizal Fungi in Your Garden

Ready to put these little helpers to work? It’s easier than you think! This section of our types of mycorrhizal fungi care guide will walk you through the simple steps.

Choosing the Right Product: What to Look For

When you head to the garden center or shop online, you’ll see a few options. Most general-purpose garden products contain a blend of Endomycorrhizal species, which is perfect for most applications.

  • Forms: You’ll find it as a granular powder, a fine powder, or a liquid concentrate. All are effective; the best one depends on your application. Granular is great for planting holes, while powders are good for seed coatings or mixing into potting soil.
  • Species and Spore Count: Look for a product with a diverse range of species (e.g., several types of Glomus). A higher propagule or spore count per gram is generally better, but diversity is just as important.

Application Tips and Best Practices

There is one golden rule for how to use types of mycorrhizal fungi: the inoculant MUST make direct contact with the plant’s roots. The spores can’t travel through the soil to find a root; they need to be right there to germinate and form a connection.

Here are the best ways to apply it:

  1. For New Transplants (The Best Method): When you dig a planting hole for a vegetable start, flower, or shrub, simply sprinkle a small amount of the granular or powdered inoculant directly into the bottom of the hole. Place the plant’s root ball right on top of it. This ensures perfect contact.
  2. When Sowing Seeds: Place a pinch of inoculant in the furrow directly beneath the seeds before covering them with soil. Alternatively, you can lightly coat the seeds with the powder before planting.
  3. For Potting Mix: Thoroughly mix the recommended amount of mycorrhizal inoculant into your potting soil before filling your containers. This ensures the fungi are distributed throughout the growing medium.
  4. For Established Plants: This is a bit trickier but still possible! Use a garden fork or a small tool to poke several holes 4-8 inches deep into the soil around the plant’s drip line (the area under the outermost leaves). Mix the inoculant with water and pour the solution into the holes. This helps deliver the spores down to the root zone.
READ MORE  How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies On Plants - 7 Eco-Friendly Methods That

Common Problems and Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure success, it’s helpful to know about a few common problems with types of mycorrhizal fungi application. Avoiding these simple mistakes will help you get the most out of your investment.

  • Using High-Phosphorus Fertilizers: Synthetic fertilizers with high levels of phosphorus (the “P” in N-P-K) are the number one enemy of this relationship. If a plant has easy access to phosphorus, it gets “lazy” and won’t send the signals needed to partner with the fungi. Stick to organic, slow-release fertilizers.
  • Applying Chemical Fungicides: It sounds obvious, but many gardeners forget that chemical fungicides designed to kill bad fungi don’t discriminate. They can wipe out your beneficial mycorrhizal network. Opt for natural disease control methods whenever possible.
  • Excessive Tilling: Heavy, repeated tilling destroys the delicate fungal networks that you’re trying to build. Adopting low-till or no-till gardening practices is one of the best sustainable types of mycorrhizal fungi best practices you can adopt.
  • Letting the Inoculant Dry Out: The spores are living organisms. Store your product in a cool, dry place and try to use it within a year or two of purchase for best viability.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mycorrhizal Fungi

Can I make my own mycorrhizal fungi?

While you can encourage the native fungi in your soil by using compost and avoiding chemicals, cultivating a specific inoculant is a complex laboratory process. It’s much easier and more effective to purchase a high-quality commercial product to get started and then nurture that population in your garden soil.

Do all plants form relationships with mycorrhizal fungi?

Most do, but there are a few notable exceptions. As mentioned, plants in the brassica family (like broccoli, cabbage, and kale), the chenopod family (like spinach and beets), and rhododendrons/azaleas do not form these partnerships. They won’t be harmed, but they won’t receive the benefits either.

How long does it take for the fungi to start working?

This is a natural, biological process, not an instant chemical fix. It can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks for the symbiotic relationship to become fully established. Be patient! The long-term benefits for your soil and plants are well worth the wait.

Is it possible to use too much mycorrhizal inoculant?

You can’t really “overdose” your plants with it, but using more than the recommended amount is wasteful and won’t provide any extra benefit. A little goes a long way, so just follow the application rates on the product packaging.

Your Garden’s Unseen Allies

Understanding the different types of mycorrhizal fungi is like being given a key to unlock your soil’s hidden potential. It shifts the focus from simply feeding the plant to cultivating a thriving, living ecosystem that supports the plant from the ground up.

By choosing the right type for your plants and applying it correctly, you’re not just growing a garden; you’re building a resilient, self-sustaining environment. You’re partnering with nature’s ancient wisdom to create a garden that is healthier, more productive, and more beautiful.

So, the next time you’re planting, remember to give your plants a handshake with their new best friends. Your garden will thank you for it. Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
Latest posts by Rimon Chowdhury (see all)

Similar Posts