1. SOME APPLICABLE ASPECTS OF MYCORRHIZA
Associated professor,
Dr. Abdul-Sattar S .Al-Mashhadani
Hyder Consulting ME
A mycorrhiza (Greek for fungus roots; typically seen in the plural forms
mycorrhizae or mycorrhizas) is a symbiotic (occasionally weakly pathogenic)
association between a fungus and the roots of a plant. In a mycorrhizal
association the fungus may colonize the roots of a host plant either intracellular
or extracellularly.
Myco= fungi + rhiza= root
This mutualistic association provides the fungus with relatively constant and
direct access to high-energy carbohydrates, such as glucose and sucrose
produced by the plant in photosynthesis. The carbohydrates are translocated
from their source location (usually leaves) to the root tissues and then to the
fungal partners. In return, the plant gains the use of the mycelium’s very large
surface area to absorb water and mineral nutrients from the soil.
The mycelium of the mycorrhizal fungus can access phosphorus sources, and
make them available to the plants they colonize. The mechanisms of increased
absorption are both physical and chemical.
Mycorrhizal mycelia are much smaller in diameter than the smallest root hair. For
this reason, they are able to explore a greater volume of soil and have a much
larger surface area for absorption. In addition, the cell membrane chemistry of
fungi is different from that of plants. Mycorrhizas are especially beneficial for the
plant partner in nutrient-poor soils.
Mycorrhizas form a mutualistic relationship with the roots of most plant species
(although only a small proportion of all species have been examined, 95% of all
plant families are predominantly mycorrhizal).
Benefits of Mycorrhiza
• Better plant growth and biomass production, higher yields and
quality of products of agronomic, horticultural and fruiticultural
crops and trees.

2. Marigold and tomato treated (right) and not treated (left) with mycorrhiza
(Karaki photos)
• Improved survival rate of pre-inoculated nursery plants after
transplantation to the field.
• Improved survival rate and better establishment of plants in
recultivation, reforestation and land rehabilitation practices.
Inoculated Lawn Non-inoculated Lawn
Enhance and fast establishment of green lawn
• Quicker and denser pasture and turf establishment.
• More efficient use of the legumes-Rhizobia symbiosis with increased
biological N fixation rates.
• Due to increase in soil volume occupied by plant roots and finer
roots, water uptake is improved leading to an increased water use
efficiency of irrigation water.

3. • Improved plant health and higher resistance to soil-borne pathogens.
Mycorrhizal filaments (hypha) surround nematode to kill it and protect host
plant
• Improved tolerance to environmental stresses caused by high
concentration of heavy metals or salt in the soil.
Pepper treated (right) and not treated (left) with mycorrhiza ( both under
drought condition) .
Hypha
Root
Hypha

4. • Increased aggregation of soil aggregates by Glomalin (produced by
VAM fungi) with positive long-term benefits for soil fertility especially
in sandy soil. AMF formed Glomalin (glycoprotein) which is substantially
and exclusively formed on the surface of spores and hyphae of AMF.
Hence, it is specific to AMF. Other soil fungi do not form it. It is not soluble
in water, resists heat and is hydrophobic in all its stages. In addition to
Glomalin. Glomalin also correlates well with the soil organic matter content
but not with other soil parameter.
• Contribute on sand fixation by reducing the wind and
water erosion.
• Mycorrhiza enhances microbial diversity in rhizoshphere horizon.
Mycorrhiza increases plant species diversity as the potential number of
association’s increases. Dominant arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can
prevent the invasion of non-mycorrhizal plants on land where they have
established symbiosis and promote their mycorrhizal host. The extent of
AM colonization and species affects the bacterial population in the
rhizosphere. Bacterial species differ in their abilities to compete for carbon
compound root exudates. A change in the amount or composition of root
exudates and fungal exudates due to the existing AM mycorrhizal
colonization determines the diversity and abundance of the bacterial
community in the rhizosphere.

5. Fields of implementation for Mycorrhiza
o Afforestation
o Agriculture
o Organic farming
o Orchards
o Golf Courses
o Vegetable cultivation
o Ornamental crops
o Landscaping
o Improvement of urban areas
o Recultivation of wasted or damaged areas
Plant species colonized by Mycorrhiza
1. Vegetables
Following vegetables were reported to give positive responses to inoculation with
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Artichokes, Celery,
Melons,Radicchio,Asparagus,Cucumber,Nasturtium,Radish,Beans, Eggplant
,Onions,Spinach,Bell peppers,Endives,Patisson,Squashes, Cardy ,Garlic, Peas
,Tomatoes,Carrots,Leeks,Peppers,Chicoree, Lettuce, and Pumpkins
Following vegetables were reported not to initiate a mycorrhizal symbiosis
and not to respond inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Species
from the botanical family Brassicaceae like cabbages, Brussels sprouts,
cauliflower, broccoli
2. Fruits and Berries
Following fruit trees and fruit bearing scrubs were reported to give positive
responses to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi:
Almonds, Chestnuts, Peaches, Raspberries, Apples, Elderberry, Peanut,
Strawberries, Apricots, Figs Gooseberries, Pears, Tayberries, Grapes,
Blackberries, Plums, Walnuts, Blackcurrants, Melons, Quinces,
Cherries, Nectarines, and Redcurrant
The following scrubs were reported not to respond to inoculation with
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Blueberries, Cranberries
3. Tropical Crops
The following plants were reported to give positive responses to the inoculation
with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Avocado, Grapes, Kaki,

6. Bananas, Palm Trees (Date Palms, etc), Oil palms ,Sugar Cane, Yam,
Papaya,Tea,Beans (various varieties),Kiwi, Passion fruit (various varieties e.g.
Maracuja),Tobacco, Cactus Fruits,Lentilles, Star fruit
Pomegranate, Upland Rice, Cassava, Lychee, Peas (various varieties),
Chickpeas, Mango, Pepper, Yucca, Citrus Crops, Mungbeans, Physalis,
Cocoa, Okra, Pistachio, Coconut, Olives, Sorghu, and Coffee
4. Field Crops
The following crops were reported to give positive responses to inoculation with
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Alfalfa, Maize (Corn), MilletTobacco, Barley, Oats,
Soy Beans, Upland rice, Cotton, Potatoes,
Sudan Grass, Wheat, Clover, Rye, Sunflower, Linseed, Sorghum, and Sweet
potato (Yam).
The following crops were reported not to respond to inoculation with
mycorrhizal fungi: Oilseed Rape, and Sugar beet
5. Aromatic and medicinal herbs, special crops
The following plants were reported to give positive responses to the inoculation
with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi:Basil,Garlic,Peppermint,
Thyme,Bulbs,Lavender,Persil,Ysop,Chive,Lemongrass,Rosmarin,Coriander,
Marjoram, Sage , Dill, Onions Oregano, and Shallot
6. Ornamental Crops and Flowers
Selected flowers which form arbuscular mycorrhizae: Bamboo different genera
e.g. Sasa, Bambusa, Chimonobambusa, Phyllostachys,Monstera
deliciosa,Lobelia erinus,Heliotropium arborescens, Philodendron
erubescens,Potentilla fruticosa , Argyranthemum frutescens,Euphorbia
pulcherrima,Begonia spp, Impatiens spp.,Mimosa putida,Yucca spp.,Ficus
benjamina, Fuchsia-Hybrids,Asplendium nidus,Hydrangea spp.,Coleus blumei
,Gardenia jasminoides,Passiflora spp.,Camellia spp.,Chrysanthemum spp.,
Geranium spp.,Primula spp. ,Tropaeolum majus,Phoenix canariensis,
Chlorophytum comosum,Rosa spp.,Erythrina spp.,Dieffenbachia maculate,Ficus
elastica,Cissus antarctica,Mimosa pudica,Dictamnus alba,Hibiscus
spp.,Agapanthus-Hybrids,Cryptomeria spp.,Lilium spp and Tagetes-Hybrids,
Note that Bougainvillea is not known to form mycorrhiza.
7. Forest trees and shrubs
The following plants were reported to give positive responses to the inoculation
with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: Acacia,Catalpa,Fig,Paw
Paw,Ailanthus,Ceanothus,Forsythia,Persimmon,Alder,Cedar,Gingko,Poplar,Arbo

7. rvitae,Chokeberry,Hackberry,Redbud,Ash,Cottonwood,Hawthorn,Redwood,Aspe
n,Crabapple,Holly,Sassafras,Bayberry,Cryptomeria,Horsechestnut,Sagebrush,Bl
ack Locust,Currant,Jojoba, Sequoia , Box Elder,Cypress,Juniper,Silver
bell,Boxwood,Dogwood, Plane
tree,Willow,Buckeye,Elm,Mahogany,Burning,Bush, Eucalyptus
,Mahonia,Casuarina,Euonymus, Maples (all)
Note that none of the Panacea forms arbuscular mycorrhiza. In addition,
members of the Fagaceae family prefer another type of mycorrhiza.
8. Grasslands, turf, golf places, pastures
All temperate and tropical grass species (Gramineae) including bamboo are
mycorrhizal and can respond to the inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
All temperate and tropical pasture legumes (clover, Stylosanthus, Pueraria) are
mycorrhizal and respond in the initiate phase to inoculation
What is the application rate of mycorrhiza?
It depends on the type of the soil and product, specific crops (plant
category; Palm, tree, shrub, perennial and annual species…).
Finally, Mycorrhiza requires little serious attention in the management of
different vegetative resources. Mycorrhiza-forming fungi are practically
ubiquitous, and mycorrhiza is in all probability formed by the species best
suited to the prevailing conditions.