Mycorrhiza is considered as mutualistic association between a fungus (Myco) and the roots (rhiza) of the plants. Can we considered Mycorrhiza as biofertilizer or not?
Dear Sir,
In my opinion Mycorrhiza, ecto- as well as endomycorrhiza, it is a symbiosis between a plant and a fungus.
In the 1st phase, the symbiosis is unpleasant (toxic) for plants. In the next phase of development, the fungus serves to extend the root activity in the soil - in the sense of water and nutrients coverage and absorption in the favor of the plant.
The partner fungus receives nutritive organic substances from plant in order to develop the system.
So, the fungus is just a component of the Mycorrhiza, and not a biofertilizer because it doesn't bring any nutritive element into the system (association, symbiosis).
The plant (its root) can be considered as a donor of biofertilizers (elaborated seva).
Therefore, the Mycorrhiza as symbiosis is not a biofertilizer because the fungus component is a consumer, instead of being a producer of nutritive elements.
On the other hand, I strongly believe that Mycorrhiza's most important role is that of creating a communication network between plants for the purpose of a common defense and of giving the roots the possibility of process some information really necessary for feeding and protecting the entire system.
Dear Dr. Mihai... thanks for your comment.
You said that "the Mycorrhiza considered as symbiosis not a biofertilizer because the fungus component is a consumer, instead of being a producer of nutritive elements" but according to definition of biofertilizers "A biofertilizer (also bio-fertilizer) is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant" (Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofertilizer).
This means that any biological organism that promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant considered as biofertilizer.
What's your opinion?
If I am wrong in my saying..please correct me.. Regards.
Biofertilizer is a misleading term. Fertilizer is generally an extraneous input into a system. However, a microorganism that makes available the nutrients for plants does not bring any nutrients from outside the system. The microorganisms either convert unavailable form into an available form or aid plant in their uptake of nutrients. Therefore, microorganisms in soil fall well within one of the following groups: nutrient fixers (nitrogen fixing microorganisms), nutrient solubilizers (microorganisms those breakdown organic nutrients into inorganic forms) or nutrient mobilizers (microorganisms that facilitate the uptake of nutrients). The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in aiding plants in their uptake of nutrients and water from the soil that is not accessible to plant roots. These fungi therefore take up nutrient that is present in the soil and do not bring anything from outside the soil system. It is better to call any plant growth promoting microorganisms including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as ‘bioinoculant’ and not biofertilizer.
Dear Sir,
This is a very interesting discussion. Now, if we take into consideration the cited Wikipedia definition, you can see the Mycorrhiza as a biofertilizer.
Personally, I don't accept this entire definition... Why? Imagine yourself that some of the symbiosis, like those induced by Rhizobium, bring the cosmic nitrogen in a form available for plants (from outside the system), as if fertilizers would be applied, but through very complex and genetically coordinated processes.
A similar thing can be said about Azospirillum and others nitrogen fixing bacteria, both in associative or free form.
About the Mycorrhiza fungus, which may come from spores applied to the soil by different techniques and them connection with the roots, it doesn't bring anything from outside, it only promotes inside structures.
For this reason I think that is, more likely, a bioactivator than a biofertilizer (especially regarding phosphorus).
Also, by the fact that it prevents some disease and pests to reach to the roots, it may be considered as a bio-defender. Anyway, its importance in the life of plants is huge.
You can call it as you wish, especially if the sense of its functions isn't altered.
I repeat, the communication function between plants is highly important.
mycorrhizae with both endo and ecto have the characteristic nature of transfering nitrogen source from the soil and uptake the carbon source released by the plant. the nitrogen source which would be in the form of immobile form . the immobile form of phosphorus will be converted to mobile form which will be readily utilized by the plant roots and the nutrient level will be increased. hence mycorrhizae could be considered as plant growth promotors rather that biofertilizer or bioinoculants
I agree with Miss Angal, mycorrizae are plant growth promoter. They are known to increase the uptake of phosphorus from the soil, increase the nutritive value of the fruits and vegetables. They are also know to have a positive effect on the growth of plant during stress conditiond like drought or high salinity.
I am a bit late in this discussion but better late than never... A review of 2014 tries to give some light into this discussion.
I continue to believe that mycorrhiza remains a great symbiotic creation of nature in order to improve the relationships between plants and soil. It can not be a fertilizer because it does not directly provide any nutrient to the plants. It is also not a bio-stimulator because it does not affect through any enzyme the biochemical processes of plant growth and development.
Mycorrhiza is a special biological extension of the roots and their functions in the soil. It expands the volume absorption of nutrients, helps to mobilize existing forms of insoluble elements in the soil solution (especially phosphorus), prevents nitrate (NO3) to be leached thoroughly in the soil, leaves protein substances as food for soil microorganisms and improves the soil structure and the humus stability. All these are indirect contributions of mycorrhiza on improving the entropic state of the plants. Also because it impedes the access of soil diseases and some pests to the roots. I have not found any research showing that is directly a fertilizer. It is much more valuable than a fertilizer or biostimulator.
Finally I also claim that especially for the trees in the forest, but also for other biological systems, it improves communication between them, creating a true underground network of communications.
Please see the attached photo, after Suzzanne Simard – University of British Columbia.
Mycorrhiza is the most magic creation of nature, without which natural plants generally could not develop and crops would require dangerous anthropogenic resources.
Mycorrhiza can be used as biofertilizer , it is a microsymbiont with a large species of plants either crops or trees either endo or ecto - mycorrhiza , they are known to increase the uptake of phosphorus from the soil to their macrosymbiotic plants , they are also known to enhance the the plant growth ,protect the plants against different pathogens & during stress conditions .
@ Kunal .
Yes, mycorrhiza is considered as bio-fertilizer. Please have a look at these useful RG links.
Article How Mycorrhizal Fungal Bio-Fertilizer Impact on Seed Yield o...
Article Mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer applications on yield seed corn v...
Chapter Mycorrhiza-Based Biofertilizer Application to Improve the Qu...
Deleted research item The research item mentioned here has been deleted
Article Role of mycorrhizae as biofertilizer and bioprotectant
Chapter Use of Vesicular - Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) as Biofertili...
mcorrhiza association can provide plant with some nutrients (P and Zn) so indirectly can behave as bio -fertilizer .
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