<h1>Beneficial Fungus</h1>

Photos compliment of wikipedia. One source I am mentioning here is to show what this item can do for all your plants.

Mycorrhizal fungi populate the area around a plants roots and form very thin filaments, adding to the length and efficiency of a plants roots. This is like having a second set of roots for the plants. Thus, plants, trees, and shrubs with a well established mycorrhizal fungal root system are better able to survive droughts and transplant shock. They also absorb more nutrients from the soil.

Mycorrhizal fungi are tiny, harmless critters that attach themselves to plant roots and actually help plants to make use of water and organic nutrients in the soil. They live on the roots of roughly 95% of all earths plant species. In exchange for what they provide the plant, the plant offers the fungi a meal of sugars (fixed carbon) produced by the photosynthesis process.

Mycorrhizal fungi can not grow unless it has a plant to attach itself too. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the plants and cannot be grown on its own.

While mycorrhizal fungi were first studied in trees, research now encompasses all types of plants, both annual and perennial. Many strains of mycorrhizal fungi have been isolated, many of which are adapted to specific plant species. More importantly for the consumer, much work is being done by commercial companies, who are culturing mycorrhizal fungi and making them available to growers. This eliminates the variable results of using compost, which didn't always contain the best strains for the plants it was used on. However there are also species of fungi that work with many species of plants.

Photo compliment of wikipedia.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are specialized fungi that form symbiotic relationships with most plants. The fungus benefits by getting sugars from the plant while the plant sees improved growth. Mycorrhizae improve plant growth by several different means. One way is increasing the root surface area thus increasing the ability to pick up water and soil nutrients, especially non mobile nutrients such as phosphorous and zinc. Mycorrhizae are also beneficial in helping the plant root system be more resistant to soil borne diseases. Mycorrhizal plants generally have increased growth and yield because of these varied benefits.

Plants with mycorrhizal fungi can survive better in their non-native environments, or that is to say, environments that don't necessarily reflect the ideal environments for their survival, such as urban areas and home gardens. Mycorrhizal fungi also boost a plants immune system, making them resistant to soil-borne pathogens. In addition, they help to keep parasitic nematodes away.

You can use a Mycorrhizal Fungi Root Builder directly on your new transplants or you can apply it deeply into the soil using a core drill or auger. Once you apply it, you'll notice that plants will grow greener, healthier, and will make better use of water and nutrients. This means that your plants are utilizing water and nutrients more efficiently. With time, the roots will grow and perform better as the Mycorrhizal fungi continue to establish themselves on the roots.

Research shows that the lack of mycorrhizal fungi can create problems with trees, shrubs and plants when they are growing in our gardens. Unfortunately, our day to day gardening tasks can negatively affect these delicate mycorrhizal fungi. For example, the use of chemical fertilizers, tilling, and hoeing can disrupt or even destroy the mycorrhizal fungi found in your soil. Additionally, many of the plants we purchase and grow in the garden lack the necessary mycorrhizal fungi growing on their roots when we plant them. Furthermore, our home garden soils may lack enough mycorrhizal fungi to truly benefit our plants. Photos compliment of wikipedia.