Modern agriculture faces numerous challenges. Climate change, increasing demand for food, and the need to protect the environment require innovative solutions. Biological methods, such as mycorrhiza—the symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots—are gaining popularity. Mycorrhiza is a natural process that helps plants utilize soil resources, improves their health, and promotes sustainable agricultural development. Mycorrhizal products, such as MYCOTIM VIGOR, enhance yields and quality while reducing environmental impact.
How does mycorrhiza work?
Mycorrhiza is a mutually beneficial relationship between fungi and plant roots. Mycorrhizal fungi colonize plant roots, forming a network of hyphae that increases the plants’ ability to absorb water and nutrients. These hyphae act as extensions of the roots, reaching areas beyond the roots’ direct access. In exchange, plants provide fungi with carbohydrates needed for their growth.
This symbiotic relationship supports plant growth and improves soil quality, offering new opportunities in agriculture while reducing the environmental impact of crop production.
Benefits of using mycorrhiza in agriculture
Enhanced nutrient uptake and water management
Mycorrhizal fungi improve the efficiency of nutrient uptake from the soil. With their extensive hyphal network, they expand the reach of plant root systems, accessing areas where nutrients may otherwise be depleted. This enables farmers to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers, lowering production costs and minimizing the risks of soil over-fertilization and groundwater contamination.
Additionally, mycorrhizal fungi enhance plants’ water management. Their hyphae allow plants to absorb water from a larger soil volume than roots alone, helping plants better withstand drought conditions—a critical advantage in regions facing climate variability and water scarcity.
Improved stress resistance
Plants associated with mycorrhizal fungi cope better with stresses such as drought, soil salinity, and nutrient deficiencies. Mycorrhiza also suppresses the development of pathogens. How does this work? Mycorrhizal fungi compete with pathogens for space and nutrients in the soil and create a protective barrier around roots, making it harder for harmful microorganisms to access them. As a result, roots are less vulnerable to attacks, and plants remain healthy and robust.
Improved soil structure – a vital aspect for agriculture
Mycorrhiza plays a crucial role in improving soil structure, which is essential for the long-term productivity and health of soil. This process occurs on multiple levels. The fungi’s hyphae spread throughout the soil, binding soil particles into a stable structure. They increase soil porosity, improving water and air flow, while loosening compacted soil and reducing the risk of erosion.
Mycorrhizal fungi also contribute to the decomposition of organic matter, enriching the soil with humus—a stable form of organic matter that serves as a nutrient reservoir for plants.
Mycorrhiza and reduced chemical input in agriculture
Modern agriculture needs to limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides due to growing awareness and legal requirements. Mycorrhiza supports these efforts with its natural properties:
- Better fertilizer efficiency: fungi help plants utilize nutrients in the soil more effectively, enabling reduced fertilizer application, lowering costs, and lessening the environmental burden.
- Lower pesticide needs: mycorrhiza strengthens plant roots and enhances resistance to diseases, reducing the need for chemical crop protection agents.
- Groundwater protection: reduced fertilizer application decreases the risk of groundwater contamination, helping to preserve water and prevent environmental pollution.
Mycorrhiza offers a simple pathway to more sustainable agriculture that still ensures high yields.
Applications in horticultural crops
Horticultural crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, grapes, and strawberries benefit significantly from mycorrhiza. Mycorrhizal fungi support root system development, enabling plants to better adapt to changing conditions. The result? Higher yields and improved quality—essential for modern agriculture.
MYCOTIM VIGOR: mycorrhiza for your crops
To meet the needs of modern agriculture, INTERMAG has developed MYCOTIM VIGOR, a mycorrhizal product designed for horticultural crops. MYCOTIM VIGOR contains carefully selected strains of mycorrhizal fungi that naturally and effectively support plant growth, development, and health. MYCOTIM VIGOR improves nutrient availability, enhances soil properties, reduces plant susceptibility to abiotic and biotic stresses, and increases both the quality and quantity of yields. It inoculates the soil and plant root system early in the growth stage, ensuring lasting benefits.
