Mycorrhizal biofertilizers, formed from a symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots, significantly enhance nutrient absorption, water uptake, and resilience against environmental stressors. Historical records indicate that mycorrhizae have existed for 460 million years, with notable contributions to plant growth documented as early as the 19th century. Management practices to optimize mycorrhizal benefits include preserving topsoil and avoiding harmful chemicals and over-fertilization.

1. Id. No. 13160-13170
MYCORRHIZAL FERTILIZER

2. o Mycorrhiza Biofertilizer
o Mycorrhizal system
o Vasicular Arvascular Mycorrhiza
o History of Mycorrhiza
o Functions of Mycorrhizal
o Benefits of Mycorrhizae
o Disadvantage of Mycorrhiza
o Management of Mycorrhizae
o Video presentation
Content

3. • Mycorrhiza Biofertilizer is also known as VAM (Myco = Fungal +
rrhiza = roots) adheres to plants rhizoids leading to development
of hyphae. Hyphae boost development and spreading of white
root in to soil leading to significant increase in rhizosphere. These
hyphae further penetrate and form arbuscules within the root
cortical. VAM fungi form a special symbiotic relationship with roots
of plant that can enhance growth and survivability of colonized
plants. Mycorrhiza Biofertilizer is very useful in organic farming as
well as normal commercial farming
Mycorrhiza Biofertilizer

9. • Fossil records show mycorrhizae have been around for 460 million years old. In 460
million year-old fossils the underground parts have mycorrhizal fungi very similar
to those found in today’s plants
• Robert Hartig (1840) first illustrated the mycorrhizal fine roots of a pine, but did not
recognize them as a separate being.
• S. Reissek (1847) described and recognized fungal cells associated with orchids.
• A. B. Frank (1885) described fungus-root structure and showed increased growth in
plant when mycorrhizal.
History of mycorrhiza

10. Functions of Mycorrhizal
• Fungus uses organic nutrients (including sugars) produced by
plant
ECM are not obligate mutualists but VAM are.
• Fungi impart benefits to plant by increasing: nutrient
absorption,especially phosphorus, water uptake, tolerance of
harsh environmental conditions, including polluted environments
(e.g. acts as shield against acidity, elemental toxicity and
pathogens).

11. Factors that can affect of mycorrhizal
formation
• > pH of soil----------------------------------------(-)
• > soil moisture------------------------------------(-)
• > soil depth----------------------------------------(-)
• > amount of above ground plant cover--------(+)
• > grazing-------------------------------------------(-)
• > pesticides----------------------------------------(-)
• > soil fertility--------------------------------------(-)

12. Benefits of Mycorrhizae
• Increased uptake of nutrients
o Hyphae explore the soil for nutrients, increase surface area for nutrient absorption transport them
back to the plant.
o The nutrients P, Zn, C, N, Cu and S have been shown to be absorbed and translocated to
the host by mycorrhizal fungi
• Increased rootlet size and longevity
o Mycorrhizal plants have larger roots than nonmycorrhizal plants regardless of whether
mycorrhizal fungi are present.

13. Water relations
Hyphae explore the soil for water and increase surface area for
absorption Some mycorrhizae alter the plant’s physiology, increasing
stomatal resistance, resulting in less water loss.

14. Tolerant of harsh conditions
fungi are more tolerant of acidity, elemental toxicity and high soil
temperatures than are higher plants and able to, in some cases
(ectomycorrhizae), shield the root from these condition.
Lower levels of heavy metals generally found in mycorrhizal plants than
nonmycorrhizal plants.

15. Increased seedling survival
Mycorrhiza promotes plant survival, whether new seedlings or out-
planted container stock.
Survival of inoculated plants can be up to five times the survival of
uninoculated plants.
Improved survival is no doubt due to a combination of mycorrhizal
benefits, including faster growth to help overtop weeds, protection from
pathogens, and improved drought tolerance.

16. Mycorrhizae and pathogens
• Mycorrhizal fungi have long been known to help defend roots against soil-
borne disease.
• Mycorrhizae promote beneficial bacteria that may be directly responsible
for protection against root pathogens.
• Mycorrhizal fungi may reduce the incidence and severity of root diseases.
The mechanisms proposed to explain this protective effect include:
o development of a mechanical barrier-especially the mantle of the EM-to
infection by pathogens
o production of antibiotic compounds that suppress the pathogen,
o competition for nutrients with the pathogen, including production of
siderophores
o induction of generalized host defense mechanisms.

17. Disadvantage of Mycorrhizae
• When the nutrient levels in the soil are so low and the fungus
cannot extract extra nutrients and no benefit accrues to the plant
in return for carbon transferred to fungus parasitism may be occur.
• Sometimes plant growth suppression has been attributed to
mycorrhizal colonization, but usually this occurs only under
unusual circumstances that affect plant photosynthesis (low light
and cold temperatures) or high-phosphorus

18. Management of Mycorrhizae
• Most of the mycorrhizal fungi are in the top 15 cm of the soil
• Preserve topsoil and microbial activity
• Do not use chemicals that kill fungi
• Do not over-fertilize
• Keep native plants

19. Mycorrhiza Biofertilizer