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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Mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic organisms that form a partnership with the roots of plants, including cannabis. They expand the root system and improve nutrient uptake, particularly of phosphorus and micronutrients.
Mycorrhizal fungi can be incorporated into the soil or substrate in the form of granules or root inoculants. It is important not to expose the fungi to chemical fertilizers, as this can impair the symbiotic relationship.
Mycorrhizal fungi increase nutrient uptake, improve water retention, and strengthen resistance to stress factors such as drought and disease. As a result, plants can grow more healthily and produce higher yields.
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