1. Mycorrhizae
Benefits
Utah Green Industriy
Conference
Monday 25, 2010
Atul Nayyar, Ph. D., Biol.

2. Agenda
• Brief intro to our company: Premier Tech
• Mycorrhizal fungi, what they are and what they do!
• Soil nutrient characteristics
• Production technology to viable products
• Mycorrhizal effects on plant growth
• Conclusions

3. Seven business units gathered in three groups
One mission
To become technological and
commercial leaders in the
respective fields of expertise
of its three groups

4. Premier Tech Biotechnologies has
acquired over the years a unique
expertise in industrial scale production of
top quality mycorrhizal inoculants for
the horticulture and agriculture market.
60 team members more than
20 dedicated to R&D adding up to more
than 150 years of expertise in
mycorrhizae.

5. Mycorrhizal fungi
• Mycorrhizal fungi colonize the plant’s root system and develop a
symbiotic association called a “mycorrhiza”
• Form a network of filaments that associate with plant roots and draw
nutrients and water from the soil that the root system would not be
able to access otherwise.
• Mycorrhizae are developped on more than 90% of plant species
• Mycorrhizae are present naturally in almost all ecosystems

6. Types of mycorrhizae
All arbutus and
Arbutoid, Orchid orchid plants
Not obligate fungi
Orchids rely on
Visible
them
All Ericaceous plants
(Blueberry, Azalea,
Ericoid
Rhodos)
Not obligate fungi

7. Types of mycorrhizae
15% of plants
Ectomycorrhizae Most conifers,
deciduous exceptions
Visible
80% of plants
Most deciduous and
Endomycorrhizae
herbaceous, cedars

8. Ectomycorrhizae
15% of plants
Ectomycorrhizae (Pine, Spruce, Fir,
Oak, Birch, Hazelnut)
Fungi are not obligate, can live as saprophytes
on organic matter. Show some host specificity
Visible
Do produce visible sporocarps above ground
Outside
Mantle
cells

9. Endomycorrhizae (Arbuscular Mycorrhizae)
• Arbuscules: transfer
organs of the
mycorrhizae.
• Hyphae: connect root to
soil. Act as pipeline.
• Spores: resting, lipid
filled structures.
Is the seed of the
fungus world.
• Identification is based
on these.

10. How to identify species
• Spore morphology
• DNA fingerprint
Results:
• Multiple nuclei per
spores (thousands)
• Each nucleus has a
different genetic code
• Very adaptable and
versatile
• Number of species (200)
limited vs plants (250K)

11. Mycorrhizal Research
A 1995 detailed analysis of databases of mycorrhizal research
containing almost 12,000 references (Klironomos et al, 1995).
During the last four decades, the average number of papers published
per year were 84, 110, 214 and 488, respectively.
The rate of publication in 1995 was about 700 papers per year,
and well over 1000 now.
Much research has focused on nutrient dynamics, inoculum production,
mycorrhiza formation, and morphology and physiology of both
arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) and ectomycorrhizas (EM).
Research is conducted on all continents.

12. Mechanism of symbiosis
Spore
germination
(signal)

13. Mechanism of symbiosis
External Spore
exploration production

14. Network
Spore
Root
Hypha,
pipeline

15. Endomycorrhizae at work
LIVE!

16. Mycorrhizae advantages
• Allow plants to draw more nutrients and water from
the soil, including phosphorus
• Result in vigorous and healthy plants
• Accelerate rooting
• Increase plant survival
• Increase drought tolerance and others stresses
• Enhance flowering and fruiting Root with mycorrhizae
• Reduce transplant shock
• Better yields
• Reduce erosion
Root without mycorrhizae

17. Some basic soil
physico-chemico properties

18. Nutrient
availability and
micro-organisms
activities vs pH

19. Nutrient uptake mecanisms
Mass flow: water movement into the soil toward the roots
Radical interception: Interception of solution ions during root growth
Diffusion: Transfer of ions from higher to lower concentration

20. Facts
1. Plants absorb P from solution in proportion to the
concentration of phosphate ions in the solution
(solubilisation).
2. P is mainly absorbed by diffusion because it’s a non mobile
ions in the soil solution.
3. If no other factors are limiting, growth will be proportional
to the amount of P absorbed by plants.
4. The actively absorbing surface of plant roots is near the
root tips.
5. Mycorrhizae may supply up to 80%* of the plant P.
• Organic matter hydrolysis
• Phosphatase activity (direct or indirect)
• Increase of bacterial activity (symbiosis between soil
bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi)
*Bolan, N.S. 1991. A critical review on the role of mycorrhizal fungi in the uptake of phosphorus by
plants. Plant and Soil 134 : 189-207.

21. Challenges of inoculum production
 Mass production of viable inoculum has been a
challenge for large-scale application of mycorrhizal
inoculants
• Cannot be grown in the absence of a plant host
• Their physiology and their genetic structure are very complex
• Production cycle over 3 – 5 months

22. Challenges of inoculum production
Conventional process
Production of host-plant in greenhouses

23. Challenges of inoculum production
In vitro process
Production under controlled environmental conditions using
root culture

24. Challenges of inoculum production
Conventional process In vitro process
• Number of propagules per unit
• Number of propagules per
is variable unit is constant
• Quantification is difficult and • Quantification is more
inaccurate simple and accurate
• Risk of plant pathogens • Plant pathogen-free
• Restrictions in formulation and • Flexibility in formulation and
application application
• Limited production capacity • Higher production capacity
• Quality of products is variable • Quality of products is
constant

25. Need to master more than just
inoculum production
Production Formulations
of the active tailor made to meet
ingredient client requests
Technical support in
the Application of
concentrated formulations

26. BENEFITS ON PLANTS
TURF

27. RESULT: Establishment
Average Bentgrass Coverage - Laval University
Mycorrhizal inoculation accelerated
coverage by 4-5 weeks
100
90
80
% coverage
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Number of weeks
With Mycorrhizae
Without Mycorrhizae

28. APPLICATIONS: Sod production
Sod producer Lower St-Laurence Canada
Seeded with powder on seed in fall 2008. Harvest Sept 12 2009.
33% less fertilizer applied (saved 300 lbs/ac N-P-K)
WITHOUT WITH
MYCORRHIZAE MYCORRHIZAE

29. APPLICATIONS: Sod Turf
Without Mycorrhizae
With Mycorrhizae

30. Downsview Park, Ontario Canada
Use of granular applied mycorrhizae at sod installation
WITHOUT WITH
MYCORRHIZAE MYCORRHIZAE

31. By R. KOSKE1, J.N.GEMMA2 and N.JACKSON2
Department of Botany1 and Department of
Plant Sciences2, University of Rhode Island,
RESULT: Water use Kingston, Rhode Island
Model tested: Penncross
without with water
water WITH WITHOUT without water
MYCORRHIZAE MYCORRHIZAE
Turf without mycorrhizae began
Mycorrhizal turf showed 39% wilting after 3 days
less water stress than without Mycorrhizal turf wilted after 5 days
After eight days,
the difference was 60%

32. RESULT: Disease resistance
Spread of Dollar spot - Laval University
Mycorrhizal turf had 35% less disease invasion
80
70
60
50
% coverage
40
30
20
10
0
2 3
Weeks after disease introduction
Without Mycorrhizae
With Mycorrhizae

33. BENEFITS ON PLANTS
TREES & SHRUBS

34. Growth increase
Ash trial (Université Laval, Québec)
Height increase of 79% with Mycorrhizae

35. City Tree
Tree survival in City conditions
10
8
1998
6 1999
2000
2001
4
2
0
With Without
Mycorrhizae
Black maple Guelph University 2001
Mycorrhizae

36. Plantations in Mexico
Pinus michoacana
With Mycorrhizae Without Mycorrhizae

37. Mycorrhizae in Citrus nursery production
Willits & Newcomb Inc, Arvin, California.
Orange production, 150 cc.
Without mycorrhizae
With mycorrhizae

38. Mycorrhizal inoculant use in
nurseries

39. BENEFITS ON PLANTS
ANNUALS & PERENNIALS

40. Annuals and perennials

41. BENEFITS ON PLANTS
FIELD CROPS

42. Lentil trial yields

43. LOCATIONS: Canada (MB), USA (ND,WI, NE, IA, MN)
Fertilizer: 100-180 lb N

44. BENEFITS FOR
SOIL

45. Mycorrhizal effects on soil structure
• Soil structure refers to pore spaces as well as aggregates, and
the number and dimension of pore spaces between particles
are important in functional considerations.
• The effects of soil structure are of critical importance to the
maintenance of soil function.
• Better soil structure gives:
 Greater water infiltration and water holding capacity.
 More permeability to air.
 Better root development.
 Higher microbial activity and nutrient cycling.
 Better resistance to surface sealing (crusts).
 Better resistance to erosion (water/wind)
 Better resistance to compaction

46. SOIL STRUCTURE AGGREGATION
Plays a major role in soil aggregation through hyphae
networking and glomalin (biological glue) production
Improvement of soil structure • Stimulation of beneficial microbial activity
Water infiltration improvement • Reduction of erosion and nutrient leaching
7

47. Conclusions:
MYCORRHIZAE
• Absorption of P & other minerals • Better H2O use
• Plant establishment & survival • Erosion control

48. Thanks

49. Why add a commercial inoculum to
your operations?
• Apply the correct, certified viable amount
of a performant species
• Apply it at the right time (at planting)
• Apply it at the right place (in planting hole)
• Increase the value of your work (growth benefits)

50. Single AMF species vs Several AMF species
• The effect of AMF mixtures on plant growth and P uptake were
mostly within the range of the effects exerted by the respective
single AMF species (Jansa, Smith and Smith, 2007).
• In the main, there was little evidence for increased P uptake
and/or growth of plants colonized by several AMF species
compared with a single species (Jansa, Smith and Smith,
2007).
• In the case of several species cocktail, we have to consider :
 Antagonism between AMF species
 Compatibility with bacteria
 Specific functions of each AMF

51. Premier Tech and Mycorrhizal
Technology
CAN Registration requirements:
The statement must identify the agronomic benefit(s) that
will be derived from the use of the product.
Conducted with a minimum of 2 independent researchers
Conducted for a minimum of 2 growing seasons
Conducted in East and West Canada with 4 sites per region
4 replications of randomized tests per site
Each year, at least 60% of trials show significant positive response
Total number of trials 32 experimental set-ups, at least 20 showed
positive results.
Presently 22 products registered (CFIA)
Presently registered in 30 States

52. Non-mycorrhizal plants:
Crassulaceae (Sedum)
Chenopodiaceae (Kochia)
Caryophyllaceae (Gypsophila, Dianthus, Cerastium)
Brasicaceae (Alyssum, Brassica, Arabis, Rockcress)
Fabaceae (lupins)