SOIL IMPROVERS
Introduction:
Mycorrhizae are symbiotic fungi, which help us improve the structure, moisture and absorption of nutrients in the soil. In addition, they provide benefits to adult plants and trees, especially the absorption of water and nutrients. Not to mention the defenses against nematodes. Plants naturally depend on mycorrhizae to grow and survive. This is evidenced by the low survival of plants in soils with a lack of mycorrhizal fungi (Trape 1977).
These fungi in association with the roots of plants, create a dependence for the absorption of carbon, energy and an ecological niche, while delivering mineral nutrients. They also provide other benefits such as the development of growth regulating substances, increased photosynthetic rate, resistance to drought, nitrogen fixation, resistance to pests, tolerance to environmental stress, soil improvement, as well as in the edaphic micro-ecosystem (Bethlanfalvay and Linderman 1992).
Types of Mycorrhizae: Scientists have defined three important types of mycorrhizae, which include Endomycorrhizas, Ectomycorrhizas and Ectoendomicorrizas.
Endomycorrhizae: They are formed in the plants of the families of Ericaceae, Liliaceae and the Orquidiaceae. They are also found in many plants such as palm trees, coffee, tea, cocoa and citrus. This type of mycorrhizae are not so specific, so they manage to colonize different species of plants and adapt appropriately to the conditions of the environment because their spores grow easily and can be maintained without direct contact with the roots. Therefore, they abound more in the environment than the other types of mycorrhizae and are the ones that more plant species colonize. Among the group of endomycorrhizae are the Orchideomicorrhizas that are associated with orchids; Ericomycorrhizae; and the Vesiculo-Arbusculares mycorrhizae, which are the most abundant and of greatest ecological and economic importance.
Ectomycorrhizae: Hyphae tend to form villi that help radicular hairs. These hyphae form a dense layer of mycelia that surround the finer parts of the roots until they are completely enveloped. The fungi that form these hyphae are mainly the Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes. Ectomycorrhizas are formed mainly on woody and forest species. If they are not in contact with a root their growth is limited and they can perish quickly.
Ectoendomicorrizas: Conformed by a small group of plants and mycelia, known to be a small group, with functions similar to the ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae, hence its classification.
Recommended products to incorporate mycorrhizas to the soil:
- EndoMaxima: Recommended for agricultural crops, not woody.
- MycoMaxima: Recommended for pecans, coniferous plants and for the production of wood trees.