Mycorrhizae innoculations

[benedmonds]

Any one got any info?

 

Different methods of application/innoculation, and any associated problems..

 

Cheers

[Bundle 2]

Perhaps you can check in with the Barchams tree nursery in Cambridge Ben. They are producing some material on this subject for delegates that were at Glyn Percivals seminar yesterday. The seminar included amongst other things,trials with mycor innoculations blah blah etc.....No harm in asking eh...?

BTW, we were asked politely for a donation at the end of the day by way of thanx as the day was a freebee...all proceeds to childrens charities...Make the right noises and Im sure you will get what you need.....

[Bundle 2]

http://www.tree-care.info/uktc/archive/2009/msg00900

[David Humphries]

http://www.tree-care.info/uktc/archive/2009/msg00900

 

Good link Tim

 

 

I feel that any given Tree is probably already exposed to the potential Mycorr in it's immediate locality.

 

Suppose creating or returning a root plate to a healthy growing environment is the likely key.

 

Watched a contractor/consultant apply a generic mix of endo and ectophytic micorr into the root zone of an Oak Vet on thursday, whilst aerating.

 

De-compaction was the primary concern with this tree, the addition of Micorr is a bonus, but quantifiable?

 

 

.

Edited March 14, 2009 by Monkey-D

[Will Hinchliffe]

 

 

Watched a contractor/consultant apply a generic mix of endo and ectophytic micorr into the root zone of an Oak Vet on thursday, whilst aerating.

 

 

.

 

The mychorrhizae applied in the generic mixes could possibly out compete the fungal colonies already present on the veteran OaK. This threatens the fungal diversity of the soil. I am not aware of any research that disproves this. It is my opinion that mychorrhizal inoculations should only be used to help restore contaminated land and in planting pits.

 

More research is needed.

[D Mc]

There actually has been a lot of research performed on this subject in this area.

 

For young plants germinated in nursery situations innoculating with mycor has proven to improve the success ratio of the plantings for reforestation. This has been used for many years in this area. Innoculations on young plants for reforestation of strip-mined areas has also shown tremendous success ratios. Yet all of the studies I have read performed on mature trees in regards to mycor innoculations has shown no discernible effect.

 

I think the information is there, we just need to accept it. There are no short cuts in this process but a time requiring process of decomposition to allow the development of the multitude and diversity of life within the soil. Without this activity our efforts to decompact will be short-lived.

 

Care should be taken with any process that interrupts or disturbs the balance of this natural occurence; such as tillage, chemicals, fertilizers, etc.

 

Dave

[Will Hinchliffe]

The research does not consider the effect on the indigenous fungal communities.

[D Mc]

The research does not consider the effect on the indigenous fungal communities.

 

 

This is true. It doesn't help that when the interruptions occur that there is no immediate signs. The references I made that were beneficial were for plant innoculations not soil innoculations. What I found very interesting is the delicacy of these relationships. Information I have read says there must be a need for the plants to take on the symbiotic relationship with the mycor. Symbiosis is a complex partnership and, even at that, only part of the equation in the soil.

 

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/wong/BOT135/Lect26.htm

 

Note the discussion under lichens in this lecture and the findings of Ahmadjian.

 

Dave

[Will Hinchliffe]

 

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/wong/BOT135/Lect26.htm

 

Note the discussion under lichens in this lecture and the findings of Ahmadjian.

 

Dave

 

Nice link Dave. Thanks. The Lichen section was particularly interesting. Very similar to the topics covered on the botany course I took at Aberystwyth.

 

I think using microscopy and molecular techniques it would be possible to monitor changes in fungal communities in the soil after inoculation with commercially available spores. The problem would be getting funding for it. The company's that produce these inoculation mixes are willing to carry out research to show enhanced growth rates because it helps them market there product. If it was shown that inoculating plants/soils with a generic mix of fungi was having a negative effect on fungal diversity and breaking up plant fungi interactions already in place then it would make people think twice about using them. We all know about the negative effects fertilisers have on miccorhizae.

 

Like you said these interactions are very delicate.

 

Even using an airspade to cultivate/ decompact the soil around an veteran tree will break up hyhae and have an impact on the dynamics of the fungal community.

[Hairyloon]

A firm I used to work for had a Terravent. Apparently it was a -ing horrible job, but I never used it, so I couldn't comment.