Mycorrhizae in aeroponics?
I've heard that Mycorrhizal fungi are either of no or very limited benefit in an aeroponics system or they cannot live in aeroponics as there is no medium for them to colonize (I thought they could colonize the root system in that case) but I have the urge to try mycorrhizae has excellent properties in aeroponics & you just have to watch that they do not clog your misters.
The product I'm thinking of using is SubCulture M from General Hydroponics in conjunction with Subculture B, which I am going to use bio-balls in my reservoir to give them a place to live on. As my system is not a fine mist system, it doesn't produce those fine fluffy lateral roots you see in "true" aeroponics systems, just long spaghetti-like roots - I thought that the mycorrhizae could replace them and act as lateral roots and provide some protection against pathogens.
I know there are only a few aeroponics growers out there and fewer still that use mycorrhizae, but if anyone, whether or not they're aero growers or mycorrhizae users, could offer their two cents - it would be appreciated. Do mycorrhizae & aeroponics mix? Or are they just not useful except in soil.
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Mycorrhizae in aeroponics?
Hello Apollonia,
Figured I should chime in since nobady else has. I've experimented with aero and fog, and I'm about to put into service an aero/fog grow tray.
My understanding of mychorrhizae as a benifical is that it works to break down the nutrients to a more usable state for the roots. The further you move away from soil or soiless (like pro-mix, that contains it) the less the need would be to use it. Like you have already heard, I'm not sure it will survive in an aero system.
You have raised a interesting idea about using bio-balls in your rez, as a place for it to live and do it's thing. I beleive if you really are trying to hold on to an "organic" type of nutrient in an aero rez, it would definitly be worth an experiment to try it.:thumbsup:
I personally subscribe to the "better living thru chemistry" philosiphy. ::D
If you do it, please let us know how it works out.
Mycorrhizae in aeroponics?
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I personally subscribe to the "better living thru chemistry" philosiphy. :
Ha, ha! Me too! I'm using the GH Flora series with some organic/bio supplements from their line. I dont' see any problem using mineral nutrients - that's what plants eat and what these organic ferts are ultimately broken down into. I'm using a few organic additions like the SubCulture & FloraBlend & Floralicious - a sort of an organic tea and a all around supplement - because I've hear of the great benefits to the plants & their yield. Of course I'm also using all the mineral supplements like Diamond Nectar (Fulvic acid).
As far as I've been able to tell, the myco forms structures similar to lateral roots - those fine fuzzy white roots you get with your foggers and I don't with my much coarser spray ez-cloner heads :o So I thought that this could act as a replacement for those roots.
As I understand it, there are 2 main purposes to beneficials, be they bacteria or myco fungi - 1 is to break down compounds into plant soluble matter - which, as we both are using a mineral based fertilizer, isn't really a worry for us and to aid in uptake - but with out aero systems, there is no barrier between plants and minerals and the can absorb nutrients much more easily than if they were in a medium. The second being to act as a blocker for pathogenic fungus, bacteria by essentially taking their place and in some cases attacking enemy organisms. So the results may not outweigh the inconvenience of clogged emitters & choked filters.
This will surely be a test run for me, I was very impressed with this study of said product: Page 1 of 10 Evaluation of Efficacy and Phytotoxicity of â??SubCultureâ? on Hydroponically Grown Cucumis sativus L
The benefits just looked so good I thought I ought to give it a try.
I'll be applying the myco directly to the roots and giving them a full week to establish themselves in addition to adding a substrate along the bottom of my NFT chamber - scotch brite scouring pads if you're interested :D (I got a tip from someone usng this product on the GH Blog)
Since it's so new, I'll surely be reporting on the results. Thanks you for the thoughtful response.
