Mycorrhiza: Fungal symbiosis for better roots

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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