Mykorriza

[roberto]

Experts, what do you know about the effects of Mykorrhiza on Citrus roots? What species of fungus are known to be benevolent?

[DNoyau]

I am not an expert and it is not exactly mycorrhiza… but I’ve just been given some growth promoting rhizobacteria.

As in mycorrhiza, the idea is to create a symbiotic relationship between plant roots and a microorganism.

I’ve only just started using it, but I’ll report on what I observe. If you have new information on mycorrhiza + citrus, I’d also gladly read what you can tell us.

[david]

Not an expert on Mykorriza. Only have the information available. After reading about it and digesting it I came to the conclusion that I dont need a symbiotic relation between my plant roots and an agent. Willing to learn from folks that try it and get results. Interesting subject. I need/want trial results also. I have been told that chlorinated water kills the fungus. Also that about 80% of plants have their own Mykorizza. Going to study some more.

[roberto]

I have now some new informations about citrus and Mykorrhiza. There are two types of M.: Ekto- and Endomykorrhiza. The latter, the arbuscular M.(as it is also called) is the one that is important for citrus. The fungus intrudes the roots of citrus and lives between the cells. That is why it is often said that citrus brings ist own fungus with it. But if there is no (for example in a pot) there will be no symiosis. As DNoyau mentions there are also Bacteria that help roots to get their nutrients. Niels Rodin, Swiss citrus-expert, told me about it.

[brian]

I dump all my spent coffee grounds into my potting soil mix, and the grounds are always moldy by the time they go in. So some fungus is added to my container trees... I have no idea if it has any positive or negative effect but they are doing quite well.

[roberto]

A scientist told me that it was not a good idea to feed the fungus well. A symbiosis works only if the fungus and the tree are in some need and they depend on the other's help. If you feed the fungus it won't depend very much on the tree's help to survive.