Re: mycorrhizal innoculants - INFO!
COMPUTRESE@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 5/9/00 6:35:34 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
>tolenio@sentex.net writes:
>
><<
> Has anyone used mycorrhizal innoculants on AG pumpkins? What were the
>results?
> >>
>Tom:
>
>Wasn't aware innoculants were available for cucurbits. I have only seen
>innoculants advertised for legumes.
>
>I would think that if the same symbiotic relationship between the bean
>plant
>and innoculant would occur in cucurbits, it would be something to try. To
>my
>knowledge, legume innoculants do not work on cucurbits.
>
>Could you tell us who developed cucurbit innoculants and where a grower
>might
>get them? Has test data confirmed positive results?
>
>Barb
>
It isn't a "cucurbit inocculant" at all....
The bacterial innoculant used for legumes doesn't work with non-legumes.
Those are actually bacteria (I innoculate my beans/peas with a combo of
Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar vicae and biovar phaseoli, Bradyrhizobium
sp.), which allow the nodes on legume roots to fix atmospheric nitrogen into
usable form for the plants.
The micorrhizal innocculant is actually a fungus, (one of the beneficial
fungi that I referred to in an earlier post). It basically will work with
almost all vegetable plants.... Mycorrhizae are thread-like in structure and
attach onto plant roots, this sets up a symbiotic relationship. The fungi
threads enhance nutrient uptake of the roots, especially phosphorus, zinc,
and copper. The spores also carry a soil bacterium which "fixes" phosphorus
making it available to plants. Also they can help water absorbtion, and
loosen soil structure, etc.
I think they could be a benefit for A.G. growers who have used chemical
fertilizers a lot in the past. Chemical fertilizers kill these fungi off
easily, so there could be a depletion for anyone who uses them for any
length of time. Using them right at transplanting time on and around the
roots would be the most beneficial, since they will become established in
the whole root system on their own. The "innoculant" is simply that... it
introduces the microorganism to the area which then is expected to multiply
and take up residence on it's own. Once innoculated, the area should have a
population of the microorganisms for years. But of course, overuse of
chemical fertilizers will eventually kill them off again, but still they
will be helpful while they last.
Yes there have been some USDA studies that show that innoculating with this
fungi is effective, but I don't know the details of the studies. I am
assuming the studies were probably done with plants depleted of sufficient
fertilizer.
The few crops that do not respond to mycorrhizal innoculation are those in
the cabbage family, beets, spinach, and blueberries. I know the USDA tests
were done on roses and grapes. Not sure what other crops were tested. If you
have any other questions, let me know, I can try to answer them. I did some
research on this last year, but haven't personally tried anything with this.
Mainly because the innoculant is expensive. (Maybe a few of us can get
together and share a bottle, or something)....
-Steve
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