Mycorrhizal Fungi:
Why are they important to agriculture?
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Douglas Landblom
DREC Beef Cattle and Integrated Systems Specialist
Dickinson Research Extension Center
Office: 701-456-1109; Mobil: 701-690-8245
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Mycorrhizae are a class of fungus that thrive in undisturbed soil and create symbiotic relationships with most plant roots, but not all. Those that do colonize roots through symbiotic relationships thrive on sugars from the plant. In exchange, hyphae filaments become root extensions, or network of hyphae, reaching deep into the soil profile. As root extensions, the hyphae facilitate the transport of important plant nutrients from the soil solution to the plant’s root system. Nutrient transport enhanced by mycorrhizal fungi include water, N, P, K, and micronutrients. Because the hyphae reach beyond the rooting zone, plants growing in drier soil have greater resilience during periods of water stress.
There are cool- and warm-season crops that do not develop relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. Cool-season broadleaf crops grown locally that do not develop relationships include kale, mustard, canola, rapeseed, radish, turnip, and buckwheat. Most other cool-season crops and cereal grass crops develop moderate to extensive relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. Contrasting cool- and warm-season grass and broadleaf crops, most warm-season crops grown in the northern Great Plains region mount moderate to high relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. Warm-season broadleaf crops commonly grown that develop moderate to high relationships include cowpeas, dry beans, safflower, soybean, sunflower, and warm-season grass crops include corn, sorghum/sudan hybrids, and millet.
The Dickinson Research Extension Center hosts a soil health workshop annually in September and is open to anyone interested in learning more about methods for improving soil health. The program this fall highlights a new technique that farmers are successfully doing that accounts for the complimentary aspects of growing two crops together that may or may not develop mycorrhizal fungal relationships. Referred to as intercropping, crops known for their large or small seed size and similar maturity date are grown together and separated after harvest. The most common intercrop mixes being grown include field pea/flax, canola/flax, and chickpea/flax. A second program highlight is a discussion of mycorrhizal fungi colonization and plant roots.
Mark your calendars for the soil health workshop morning program to be held at the Biesiot Activities Center on the campus of Dickinson State University, September 14, 2022. The afternoon program will be in the field at the DRECs integrated systems cropping area located on 15th Street SW, approximately 5.0 miles west of ND highway 22.
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