Hi,
Some time ago someone asked about mycorrhizal fungi.
I found a packet of mycorrhizal fungi at a local garden centre. see attached photo. The local rose society have found that it enables roses to be replanted in beds previously occupied by roses. I will try some spare bulbs treated with the fungi compared to some not treated. This will be tried in a corner of the garden and I must remember not to treat the bulbs with fungicide.
The fungi helps the plants root system and might even deter (overcome) other fungi. The packet says it is manufactured under licence granted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). A search on the RHS website gives more information and links.
Regards
Derrick
In using (endo) mycorrhizal fungi, it is important to know exactly what a product contains. Among the growth-enhancing AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) are, e.g., the glomus species. These types of AMF have been shown, by augmenting its root system, to enhance a plant’s capacity to absorb nutrients and moisture, encouraging stronger growth and, by doing so, increasing a plant’s disease resistance. However, there is another set of AMF, most importantly trichoderma, which has been shown to be antagonistic to disease-causing fungi, including fusarium oxysporum, a sub-species of which causes basal rot in narcissus.
If a grower’s main objective is to reduce basal rot, then the product to use is one that contains exclusively or a major proportion of trichoderma (sometimes called gliocladium). In recent years, a few patented products containing certain forms of these AMF have been registered as fungicides and are commercially available. I have not been able to find the contents label for Rootgrow, so I can’t be sure, but from the claims made, I think it is probable that it does not contain trichoderma.
There is an increasing amount of research being done on the use of AMF in growing various plant species. Sadly, little or none of it has been done on narcissus.
Hi Everyone, There has been some research with trichoderma on onions in NZ with very positive results. As far as daffs are concerned there are several growers, including me, who are using it. It comes in a variety of forms – I am using Tenet which is pelletized. There has been a marked drop in Basal Rot especially in some varieties which were hard for me to keep. Several growers in NZ (where it was first discovered) are reporting very positive results. All of us would like to see controlled, scientific research with daffs. I did put a proposal up to ADS a few years ago but it didn’t get any traction. Daffs are not a big enough cash crop here to persuade our professional researchers to make it a priority. However a group of us are keeping some records and will report our findings in a few years time. John McLennan has been our guru – you might like to add to this note, John Peter PS We have not had the snow reported elsewhere in NZ, but a series of heavy frosts has stopped growth it is tracks. There was a good turnout of growers at the Northern Daffodil Club’s Table Show on Modday and there were some nice flowers on display. I will post some pics later on. —-