At General Tree Service, we are always looking for tools to help your trees and shrubs in your Portland yard stay healthy and vigorous. Mycorrhizal fungi helps plants in many ways so keep reading to learn what it is and how it can help your trees, plants and shrubs.
What is Mycorrhizae?
Mycorrhizae are fungi that form a symbiotic relationship with nearly all plants. Plants rely on mycorrhizal fungi to help them obtain nutrients and moisture. Mycorrhizae colonize on plant roots and extend far into the soil. In fact, the area of absorbing roots can be increased 100 to 1,000 times if Mycorrhizae fungi are present.
How does it help plants
Plants and Mycorrhizal fungi operate together in nature to work as a single unit. The plant performs photosynthesis and other ‘above ground’ functions such as transpiration while Mycorrhizae work with the roots to gather nutrients and water.
Mycorrhizae increase nutrient uptake in 2 ways.
1. Increases the surface area of the absorbing roots.
2. Releases enzymes into the soil that dissolve hard to capture nutrients, such as organic nitrogen, phosphorus and iron.
Benefits of Mycorrhizae fungi
- Improved soil profile
- Increased drought resistance
- Increased root generation
- Increased salt tolerance
- Reduced transplant shock
In short, the presence of Mycorrhizae in the soil around your plants greatly increases your plants overall health. When your trees, shrubs and plants are healthy; they are less vulnerable to disease and more resistant to other problems.
Plan to protect your plants
Undisturbed soils are full of Mycorrhizae and other soil organisms. The soil in most urban landscapes has been degraded to the point where Mycorrhizal activity is severely compromised. Mycorrhizae populations are slow to recolonize unless mycorrhizal spores are introduced to repopulate the area so we can help your plants thrive by reintroducing Mycorrhizae into your soil profile.
Contact us for a free quote on adding a Mycorrhizae treatment to your current landscape maintenance program or to inquire about starting plant health or yard maintenance for your Portland or Vancouver home.
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