Mycorrhizal fungi improve nutrient uptake and stress resistance. Biological symbiosis for stronger cannabis plants.
Mycorrhizal fungi form a favourable symbiosis with cannabis roots:
Mycorrhiza basics:
What are mycorrhizae:
- Symbiotic fungi on roots
- Mutualistic relationship
- Fungi get carbohydrates
- Plants get nutrients
- Naturally in healthy soils
Types of mycorrhiza:
- Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM)
- Ectomycorrhiza (less relevant)
- Endomycorrhiza (in root cells)
- Ericoid mycorrhiza (special)
- AM is standard for cannabis
Advantages of mycorrhizal symbiosis:
Improved nutrient uptake:
- Up to 1000x larger root surface area
- Better phosphorus uptake
- Micronutrient mobilisation
- Improved nitrogen access
- Nutrient efficiency increases
Water management:
- Increased water uptake
- Better drought resistance
- More efficient water use
- Tapping deeper soil layers
- Improved stress tolerance
Disease protection:
- Pathogen resistance increased
- Root barrier against pests
- Immune system strengthening
- Competitive Exclusion
- Natural antibiotic production
Soil structure improvement:
- Aggregate formation promoted
- Erosion protection
- Improved porosity
- Organic matter incorporated
- Long-term soil health
Mycorrhizal inoculation:
Commercial products:
- Spore-based inoculants
- Living root fragments
- Gel formulations
- Powder preparations
- Liquid suspensions
Application times:
- At sowing/planting
- Transplantation optimal
- Direct root contact
- Early in the life cycle
- Single application usually sufficient
Application methods:
- Dip roots before planting
- Planting hole treatment
- Substrate mixture
- Direct root contact important
- Water-based application
Mycorrhiza-friendly conditions:
Optimise soil pH:
- Slightly acidic to neutral pH
- pH 6.0-7.0 optimal
- Avoid extreme pH values
- Organic buffering
- Stable conditions
Organic matter:
- Encourage compost and humus
- Provide food for fungi
- Reduce chemical fertilisers
- Organic amendments
- Living soil structure
Avoid chemicals:
- Avoid fungicides
- Products containing antibiotics
- Excessive salt fertilisers
- Aggressive chemicals
- Choose organic alternatives
Integration into different systems:
Soil-based systems:
- Natural environment
- Simple integration
- Long-term establishment
- Best results
- Standard application
Coco systems:
- Sterile medium
- Inoculation necessary
- Add organic amendments
- Moderate success rates
- Additional care required
Hydroponic systems:
- Difficult integration
- Specialised hydro-mycorrhiza
- Root zone heaters help
- Organic hydro approaches
- Experimental area
Monitoring of mycorrhizal activity:
Visual indicators:
- Healthier root system
- Improved plant vigour
- Increased stress resistance
- Better growth
- Fewer nutrient deficiencies
Microscopic analysis:
- Analyse root samples
- Identify fungal structures
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