Bacterial vs Fungal

• Grass – usually bacterially dominated soil• Forest – fungally dominated• Ideal orchard soil = fungal dominance 10 x

higher than bacteria – a ratio that defines forest-edge ecology

Shifting the ratio

• Bacteria utilize simple organic compounds like root secretions and fresh plant residue

• Fungi respond best to surface decomposition while bacteria prefer soil disturbance.

• Fungi use more complex compounds like cellulose, lignins and soil humus.

• Bulky organic material as mulch –build soil from top down as does nature

Amazing Mycorrhizae!•Symbiotic relationship with roots•Over 90% of plants form relationship•Absorptive area of roots massively increased•Nutrients can be transported up to 40m•C-rich sugars traded with nutrients and water•Produce glomalin (gives soil it’s tilth), growth factors and anti-biotics•Can even protect root from pests•Trees linked to other trees & plants

Mycorrizal fungus on root

Mycorriza on root hair

Root-eating nematode captured by fungal hyphae!!!