June, 2018
Last month a leading farm publication had a 5-page article on mycorrhizal fungi. Come to find out, these oft over-looked fungi have the ability to greatly increase the interface between root and soil (see drawing). This enhances the efficiency at which the plant can take up nutrients and moisture.
Unfortunately, modern farming practices tend to hinder and even destroy the development of mycorrhizal fungi.
Soil cultivation, extensive use of NPK fertilizer, leaving the ground fallow for months, single-crop environments, plus extensive pesticide and herbicide use have taken a toll and minimized the growth of mycorrhizae.
In fact, when phosphorus levels are high in the soil, phosphorus will be high in the root—totally shutting down carbon sequestration. The plant will not feed mycorrhizae when the plant root has an excess of phosphorus.
On the other hand, when phosphorus is low in the soil, the plant will feed mycorrhizae, and mycorrhizal fungi will supply the needed phosphorus.
Experts report that 97% of soil nutrients are tied up. In a good acre of farmland, this includes around 4,500 lbs. of phosphorus. Aerobic bacteria (like those in MycorrPlus) help to make these nutrients available.
Once microbes make nutrients available, mycorrhizal fungi transport them up to the plant. You already have a lot of phosphorus in the soil—why not use it?
What else can we do to put these fungi back to work in our soils? AG-USA’s product, MycorrPlus, can help plant roots colonize mycorrhizal fungi in less-than-optimal soil environments.
MycorrPlus contains 4 strains of mycorrhizal fungi and nutrients that feed both mycorrhizae and the aerobic bacteria working with them to enhance soil. Get the AG-USA info packet for simple strategies to further increase mycorrhizae growth.
Although MycorrPlus can help row crops, it is even easier to establish mycorrhizal fungi in pasture and hay ground—fields that aren’t tilled and have no fallow period, so they continuously nurture fungi with sugar, increasing their development.
Mycorrhizae “Glue”
Mycorrhizae filaments are sticky. When they colonize a plant’s roots, they exude glomalin—a sticky sugary protein. This protein causes soil particles to stick together into aggregates, filling the soil with tiny air pockets and stabilizing surface soils against wind and water erosion.
When soil is structured by mycorrhizal fungi, it helps water move quickly from the upper soil to deeper levels, protecting both the plant and aerobic microbes from being “drowned out” by waterlogged fields, and enabling quicker field re-entry after rain.
Mycorrhizae Transport Nutrients and Water
Drought isn’t just about a lack of moisture. When the ground is dry, it becomes hard for the plant to absorb needed nutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi help by transporting moisture and nutrients from deeper soil layers up to the plant, effectively acting as “drought insurance” for farmers facing erratic weather.
Symbiotic Relationship
God created 90% of plants to function in relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. Grass and alfalfa certainly need these fungi, and the fungi depend on them. Let’s get this synergistic relationship going again!
There are rich blessings in cooperating with nature. One of the goals of AG-USA is to help farmers re-establish mycorrhizal fungi in the soil.
For your pastures and hay acres, why not get some MycorrPlus and get the process started?
- Imagine no more compaction.
- Imagine your happiness when your pasture and hay continue growing—even when it gets dry.
- Imagine having so much grass that your cattle can’t keep up with it.
- Imagine more cows per acre, and more money in your pocket!