FRIENDLY FUNGI Mycorrhiza fungi assist grass plants


By Hugh Frost, Novozymes Biologicals Turf managers have


most often associated fungi with plant diseases in the past, though there are in fact different fungal groups that provide benefits to plants and their soil, by being antagonistic to pathogens or by working together for the better of both organisms.


environments but diminishes, or is lost, in disturbed or managed soils under turf. When in close proximity to plant roots, the mycorrhiza fungi link up with the roots and then work symbiotically with the plant, to the mutual benefit of both


mycorrhiza, which exists naturally in the soil in undisturbed


One of these is a group of so-called ‘friendly’ fungi, named


Photograph 1: Ecto-mycorrhiza on tree roots. The mycelia can clearly be seen forming a network of fine filaments fanning out from the plant roots. This type of mycorrhiza does not form any associations with turf grass, but are useful to trees when being transplanted to new sites and thereafter local mycorrhiza species will provide assistance.


Photograph 2: Endo-mycorrhiza in plant roots, only visible through a microscope in a cross section of the root. This type of mycorrhiza is present in most grasses, especially in drier conditions. It is also known as vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) and is usually only present in low numbers in managed turf grass situations.


Photograph 3: Grass root zone not inoculated with any mycorrhiza product


Image © Iowa State University


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