BIOFERTILIZERS

Mycorrhizal Biofertilizers
Mycorrhizae (fungus root) is a distinct morphological structure which develops as a result of
mutualistic symbiosis between some specific root-inhabiting fungi and plant roots. The
symbiotic association between fungi and root systems of higher plants come under the genral
names ‘fungus roots’. Fungus roots were discovered by the German botanist Frank.

There are three kinds of mycorrhiza-

By earlier mycologists the mycorrhiza was divided into following three group-

a). Ectomycorrhizae b). Endomycorrhizae c). Ectendomycorrhizae

a). Ectomycorrhizae-

➢ It is found among gymnosperms and angiosperms.

➢ The ectomycorrhizae are characterized by the presence of an external pesudoparenchyma
sheath, called mantle, on the terminal nutrient absorbing rootlets. The sheath may be
more than 40µm thick, any may constitute up to 40% of the dry weight of combined
(root+fungus) structure.
➢ Beneath the sheath, the fungal hyphae penetrate the intercellular spaces of epidermis and
cortex to form an intercellular network of hyphae called Hartig net. Though the hyphae
of the Hartig net are in close contact with the root cells in the region, there is no
penetration of host cells.

b) Endomycorrhizae –
➢ Endomycorrhiza are found in all groups of plant kingdom.
➢ In endomycorrhiza, the fungal partner grows mainly inside the roots, penetrating
the outer cortical cells of the plant root. Only a small portion of the fungal
component lies externally as a loose mass of hyphae in soil.
➢ The morphology of endomycorrhizal roots, after infection and establishment,
remain unchanged
c) Ectendomycorrhizae-
➢ In the roots of some of the gymnosperms and angiosperms, ectotrophic
fungal infection occur.
➢ Hyphae are established intracellulary in cortical cells. Thus, symbiotic
relation develops similar to ecto- and endo- mycorrhizae.

Arbuscular mycorrhizae

These are also known as Vesicular Arbuscualr mycorrhizae (VAM). About 70-90% of land plant
species form AM associations. These include angiosperms,gymnosperms, pteridophytes and
barophytes. Most of the crop plants like maize, wheat, beans, tomatoes, tea, coffee, sugarcane,
cotton etc form AM. Fungi belonging to seven genera i.e., Glomus, Acantospora, Gigaspora,
Entrophospora, Archaeospora, Paraglomus and Scutellospora enter into AM associations.

As compared to ectotrophic mycorrhizae, the AM fungi neither form any mantle nor cause any
visible changes in the roots. These are visible only when root tissues are appropriately stained. A
network of intercellular as well as intracellular hyphae is seen. The hypahe upon penetrating
cortical cells, form very fine structures showing tree-like branching. These structures are called
arbuscles. These are thought to be major sites of the nutrient exchange between the fungal and
plant partners. Apparently, these look similar to the haustoria of biotrophic parasites. But,
arbuscles do not have neck, and have a very limited life. The arbusclues are surrounded by a
plant-derived membrane called periarbuscular membrane (PAM). The interface between the
fungal plasma membrane and PAM is called periarbuscular space (PAS). PAS contain fungal
and plant cell wall material. Some (but not all) AM fungi produce vesicles and were, therefore,
called vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM).

Mass production and filed application of VAM

VAM can be produced on a large scale by pot culture technique. This require host plants,
mycorrhizal fungi and natural soil. The hostplant plants which support large scale production of
inoculums are strawberry, sorghum, maize, onion, citrus etc.
The starter inoculums (spores) of VAM can be isolated from soil by wet sieving and decantation
technique. VAM spores are surface sterilized and brought to the pot culture. Commonly used pot
substrates are sand: soil (1:1, w/w) with a little amount of moisture.

Ericoid Mycorrhiza

Ericaceae plants and various mycorrhizal fungal lineages come together to produce the
mutualistic association known as the ericoid mycorrhiza. It has also been demonstrated that
ericoid mycorrhizas are highly saprotrophic, allowing plants to obtain nutrients from still-in-
decomposition materials through the decomposing activities of their ericoid companions.

Monotropoid Mycorrhiza

This kind of mycorrhiza can be found in various genera of the Orchidaceae and the Ericaceae
subfamily Monotropoideae. These plants get their carbon from the fungal companion and are
heterotrophic or mixotrophic. Thus, this type of mycorrhizal relationship is parasitic and non-
mutualistic.

Orchid Mycorrhiza

Every orchid undergoes myco-heterotrophic growth at some point in its life cycle, forming
orchid mycorrhizas with various basidiomycete fungi. Their hyphae enter the root cells and
create pelotons (coils) to exchange nutrients.

Benefits of mycorrhizae to plants

➢ They increase the longevity of feeder roots, surface area of roots by forming
mantle and spreading mycelium into soil and in turn, the rate of absorption of
major and minor nutrients from the soil resulting in enchanced plant growth.
➢ They play key role for selective absorption of immobile (P,Zn and Cu) and
mobile (S, Ca, K, Fe, Mn, Cl, Br and N) elements to plants. These are
available to plants in less amount.
➢ VAM fungi enchance water uptake in plants
➢ VAM mycorrhizae reduce plant response to soil stress such as high salt levels,
toxivity associated with heavy metals, mine spoils, drought and minor
elements imbalance.
➢ VAM decrease transplant sock to seedlings. They produce organic “glue”
which bind soil particles into semistable in aggregates. Thus, they play a
significant role in augmenting soil fertility and plant nutrition.