Mycorrhiza, beneficial bacteria, and hydro?

[altaholic]

Was just reading the Dutch Masters web site and under their grower guide they state that they DO NOT RECOMMEND using mycorrhiza and beneficial bacterias with hyroponics. THey basicly say that they are only useful in helping the plant process organic materials and would serve no purpose with using chemical fertilizers because the plant has constant access to everything it needs already. Wondering if anyone out there uses such things with their hydro ( pirahna, voodo juice, great white, etc) and swears by it. thanks

[altaholic]

seriously no one has anything to say about this?

[LOC NAR on probation]

Ok, I guess from my point. everytime you change rez you wipe out the beni's. If you leave a good amount of water behind then it may help. I've always seen more concerned with beni's and dirt or a contained sysyem.

Try some and tell us if it works.

[altaholic]

Well I heard from another source that I trust that there is no reason to use any of that stuff unless you are using organics, which at the moment I am not. I am using hygrozyme though and seem pretty sold on that.

To any one who cares this is what Dutch Masters has to say on the subject;

Why we DO NOT Recommend the use of Beneficial Mycorrhizae (Fungi) and Bacteria in Hydroponics!
Mycorrhizae are beneficial fungi that penetrate the roots of most plants in nature. This symbiotic relationship is beneficial in that the plant provides sugars to the fungi, and the fungi enhance nutrient uptake for the plant. There are two major groups of mycorrhizae: ectomycorrhyzae and endomychorrhizae. The 'ectos' do not actually penetrate the cells of the roots, but are found between the intercellular spaces. Ectos have been found to be able to utilize a range of organic compounds such as proteins, peptides and amino acids (1, 5, 7,). However, these fungi are restricted to coniferous tree species (gymnosperms) and Ericacious (heath/ bog) species where soil breakdown of amino acids is minimal (1, 2, 5).


Endomycorrhizal fungi aid in water and nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus, but do not aid in mineralization of organic matter, and thus have not been found to take up organic nutrients (1-7). Unlike ectos, 'endos' invade root cortical cell walls and can form branched structures called arbuscules which are efficient sites of exchange between fungus and root cell. Endos are primarily associated with herbaceous plants (angiosperms) commonly grown in greenhouses and hydroponic systems (1-7).

In hydroponics, there would be little value to be obtained from mycorrhizal associations in this situation. Their value is to provide improved uptake of water and minerals from the soil / growing media. In a hydroponic setting, the plant has constant access to all the water and dissolved minerals it needs. The mycorrhizal fungi would do little to improve on a root constantly bathed in water and minerals, however may aid in nutrient uptake under plant stress and low root biomass (3, 8). Most hydroponically grown plants are of angiosperm origin, and since endomycorrhizae are not known to take up whole organic molecules in any situation, these fungi would not benefit in the uptake of a root based supplement product containing these substances. Many products make claims of enhanced growth and yield from beneficial microorganisms added to the nutrient solution along with organic fertilizers. This phenomenon can be attributed to the enzymatic secretions of these fungi into the solution to breakdown organic matter into its essential elements for uptake and transport to the roots (8, 9). Essentially, it is the same as adding extra fertilizer.

In soil mediums where organic fertilizers are used, the extra surface area provided by the mycorrhizal associations can act to enhance nutrient uptake, and to break down (via enzymatic secretions from the fungi) organic matter into its essential minerals useable by plants. Beneficial bacteria are useful in this situation again by breaking down organic matter and rendering it useful to plants in its simple mineral form. Organic fertilizers are slow acting and slow releasing, and these beneficial organisms are necessary in situations where no added mineral salts are present. However, there is little to be gained even in soil and soilless mediums when complete fertilizers with all essential nutrients are present. The use of Beneficial Bacteria in hydroponic systems can clog lines, filters and pumps.

[LOC NAR on probation]

I like that. Doing your home work and finding answers. Feels good don't it.

And I have learned something too. see you bring more to the table than you thought.