Re: [compost_tea] Exudates (was: Re: Brassicas and vam fungi)

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 10:16:00 EST

Hi Thomas -

Since I was probably the person who started this research group thinking
about the fact that at least some brassica have mycorrhizal fungi colonizing the
root system, I think I fully understand that SOME brassica can be mycorrhizal.
 

But taking this ONE paper or the second abstract you sent yesterday, to say
that we can grow brassica with VAM plants is just not kosher. That's too broad
a generalization.

SOME brassica can be colonized by VAM fungi. But which ones? What is the
degree of benefit? Enough benefit to make the expense of the VAM spores
worthwhile? Will the colonization turn negative once a later successional plant
species is also present, one that can use VAM to pull nutrients from the brassica?

So, the bottom line still is that it is not wise to inoculate brassica with
VAM, unless you know that the species you are planting will be benefitted.

Field demonstrations are needed. Solid information showing WHICH brassica
species are benefitted by VAM colonization is required.

Elaine R. Ingham
Soil Foodweb Inc., Corvallis, Oregon
Soil Foodweb Inc., Port Jefferson, New York
Soil Foodweb Institute, Lismore Australia
Soil Foodweb Institute Cambridge, New Zealand
Laboratorios de Soil Foodweb, Culiacan, Mexico
Soil Foodweb Inc., Jerome, Idaho
Soil Foodweb Inc., South Africa







Received on Wed Nov 03 2004 - 11:42:32 EST

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