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02/05/2010
Tips From The Horizen Grow Room

Beneficial Bacteria & Mycorrhizae

What would you say if I was to tell you that an organism smaller than the tip of a pin can be all the difference between a high-yielding crop, or disease, infestation, and flop? It's true! And let me explain just how this can be.

In nature soil contains a wide range of bacteria and mycorrhizae. Most people know what bacteria are, but mycorrhizae deserves an explaination. Mycorrhiza is a form of fungus that forms a network with the roots of many plant species. These mycorrhizae come in two main forms: endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae. Ectomycorrhizae form on the outside of roots while endomycorrhizae actually penetrate the roots of plants. Both types grow in a network of threads called "hyphae". As these hyphae grow through the medium, be it soil or otherwise, they increase the surface area of the roots thus allowing the plant to which they have formed a symbiotic relationship with to more easily locate and absorb water and nutrients. In this sense, you can think of mycorrhizae as extra roots. But wait, that's not all!

Both beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizae excrete enzymes. Enzymes are catalysts that speed up the pace of a chemical reaction. The reaction these enzymes are catalyzing are the breakdown of the nutrients in your soil or other medium into smaller, more usable forms that the plant can take up through its roots and use for energy to increase overall health and yield. So, not only are mycorrhizae increasing the surface area of the roots so plants can more easily access water and nutrients, they are actually helping to "pre-digest" the nutrients in conjunction with beneficial bacteria. You can think of them as teeth for you plant!

Further, beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizae give your plants an immune boost! They do this by displacing and competing with harmful bacteria (such as Pythium, the cause of root rot). Its the same reason there has been a craze for probiotics such as those found in yogurt. If you have a strong population of good bacteria in your stomach you are less likely to get sick. The same goes for plants but instead of the beneficial bacteria living internally, they live externally in the growing medium.

One final point - beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizae are helpful in hydroponics as well as soil, especially when using organic fertilizers that contain nutrients that are not readily available. Just be sure not to subject them to chlorine or chloramines (found in municipal water supplies) as these can kill your populations that you have spent valuable time and money cultivating!

Good luck!

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