Re: [compost_tea] basic questions

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 18:45:55 EST


Hi Hugh -

 
As is the norm for me, the devil is in the practical details of applying
this principle.
 

Grin! Me too! We know the principles when it comes to soil biology pretty
well, but getting the biology where you need it, when you need it is the
place we need to do the work.
 


It is my understanding that there are seven different kinds of mycorrhizas,
the most important from an agricultural standpoint being ectomycorrhizas,
endomycorrhizas and ericoid mycorrhizas.

Yep, that's right

If I use apple trees as an example: My understanding is that they are
primarily endomycorrhizal. So, is white clover, which is also endomycorrhizal, a
close enough match? Or, can/should the match be made down at the genus,
species level of the fungi? If so, could you provide some examples?
 

No, with endomycorrhizal fungi, it's the same generally fungi that work on
vegies, grass and deciduous trees like apples.
 
Thank goodness, huh?
 
But if you have conifers, then it is ectomycorrhizal fungi most of the time.


By the by ericoid mycorrhizas seem to be very interesting critters.
Somewhat similar to VAM, in that the fungus invades the host cells, but affect only
plants in the family Ericaceae (for example, heather, rhododendron,
blueberry). Can you pick a cover crop for blueberries based on mychorrhizas??
 


A good person to address that question to would be Efren Carzares, at
MycoRoots Inc.
 
Snowberry is a possible understory - short, ericoid,understory species.
 
Go up to the mountains and look at what is growing under the blueberry
in your native system. Bring it back for your blueberry fields. Check it
out first in a small area.
 
Things to learn here!
 
 
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 Sat Jan 01 2005 - 00:14:29 EST

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