"Root Rescue: the organic plant starter"
The main benefit of Mycorrhizal Fungi is its ability to assist the roots of their host plants. Once mycorrhizae are connected to roots, the plant’s access to water and nutrients (particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, manganese and copper) increases. This is because the hyphae (the thread-like filaments of the fungi - which can look like cotton candy to our eye) increase the area of absorption from soil.
Mycorrhizal filaments grow 100 to 1000 times faster than roots, and rapidly form dense spongy mats in the soil (these dense mats are called Mycelium). The mycorrhizal network acts like a second set of roots for its host plant. Mycorrhizal hyphae are smaller in diameter compared to plant roots and can penetrate tiny cavities in the soil - accessing and exploring areas otherwise unavailable to roots.
The benefits of the mycorrhiza include:
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Improved resistance to Transplant Shock
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Increased drought and salinity stress tolerance
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Increased water and nutrient uptake
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Sequestration of atmospheric CO2
Information supplied by rootrescue.com