Differences between Mycorrhizae and Trichodermas

What are Mycorrhizae and Trichodermas?

This article clarifies Mycorrhizae and Trichodermas.

MYCORRHIZES

The name Mycorrhiza comes from “myces” and “rhiza” representing the symbiosis between fungi and roots.

The two most widely used and recognized types of mycorrhizae are Endomycorrhizae and Ectomycorrhizae.

Differences between Endo and Ectomycorrhizae:

– Endomycorrhizae:

The mycelium of endomycorrhizae invades the root and then penetrates inside the cells.

– Ectomycorrhizae:

The mycelium of ectomycorrhizae invades the root but unlike endomycorrhizae, they do not enter inside the cells.

More than 90% of plants of all types enter into symbiosis with mycorrhizae.

The benefits of mycorrhizae are the following:

– Root activation.

– Increased NPK and water uptake.

– Increased tolerance to heavy metals in soils.

– Protection from fungi and nematodes.

Application of mycorrhizae in cultivation.

Mycorrhizae are applied to seedbeds and transplants manually or automatically. They are not applied in irrigation.

It is recommended to apply mycorrhizae as early as possible in the plant cycle, allowing it to become established between 2 and 4 weeks before other applications such as trichodermas.

• Mycoprot

 

TRICHODERMS.

Trichodermas have been and still are used in cannabis culture and organic farming for the control of root diseases such as Phytoptora, Sclerotinia, Ryzoctonia, Fusarium, Pyitium,….

The three most outstanding functions of trichodermas benefits are:

1. direct competition with other fungi for nutrients and space.

2. Production of antibiotic metabolites.

3. Direct attack on root pathogenic fungi.

It is necessary to emphasize the importance of not mixing chemical fertilizers in treatments with trichoderma in order to avoid the depopulation of the same ones.

Unlike the Mycorrhizae, the Trichodermas do not enter in symbiosis with the plant, so that if the mycorrhizae are well established, the contribution of trichodermas will be a great additional benefit to the plant.

Application of Trichodermas:

It is recommended to apply Trichodermas after 2-4 weeks after the mycorrhizae are established, if and when it is decided to work with the 2 genera of beneficial fungi.

They will be applied via irrigation once a month to ensure the population of Trichoderma in the rhizosphere.

• Trichoprot

 

Article extracted from: Anales de biologia 26 35-45 2014 / biologia.esu-fungi-micorrizas.