TOPIC: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Ginseng

In a nutshell this talks about a naturally occurring fungus in forest soil that is symbiotic with the roots of plants and trees. This Fungus helps the plant and root convert and absorb nutrients in the soil and helps the roots of the plant stay healthy and grow larger.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi is available on line to buy. It seems fairly expensive for a small amounts but I bet a little bit can go a long way since it is a fungi and will spread.

This might be something to consider when planting Ginseng Seeds in soil that is of lesser quality. Or it may be something to consider when planting ginseng seed in a ginseng bed for seed production too. I have read about this before and it is something that is interesting and something I will continue to read up on as well in the off season.

Here is an article I had cut an pasted below along with the web address below it. However there are many articles on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Ginseng on the internet.


Abstract

We aimed to investigate the effects of inoculating Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) by examining the root colonization, plant nutrition uptake, growth characteristics, and soil aggregation of P. ginseng seedlings inoculated at the time of transplantation. At 16 weeks, the AMF spore density per 30 g of fresh mycorrhizosphere in seedlings inoculated with AMF (AMF+ seedlings) was 256.8 and that in seedlings not inoculated with AMF (AMF seedlings) was 186.3, respectively. The colonization rate of AMF in the lateral roots of AMF+ seedlings was approximately 19% higher than that in the lateral roots of AMF seedlings. The patterns of AMF colonization in ginseng roots were similar to those of the Paris-type mycorrhizal association. Plant growth characteristics, such as plant height, root length, leaf area, number of lateral roots, fresh weight of shoots and roots, and chlorophyll content, were significantly enhanced in AMF+ seedlings compared to AMF seedlings. The macronutrient content (P, K, and Ca) and micronutrient content (Cu, Fe, and Zn) of both shoots and roots were also significantly higher in AMF+ seedlings compared to AMF seedlings. Furthermore, glomalin content and soil aggregation were significantly enhanced in AMF inoculated areas. Our results indicate that AMF inoculation may enhance the growth of ginseng seedlings by improving the uptake of mineral nutrients and the soil structure in mycorrhizosphere.



www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=Articl...ba3&searchtype=a


Thanks,
Latt

Latt

I believe that the natural fungi is the way to go. The problem with Mycorrhizal Fungi, is that it does not start to grow or colonize until the soil temperature reaches about 50 degrees or higher.

I just started using Plant Helper TRICHODERMA ATROVIRIDE (COLD TOLERANT TRICHODERMA) which is a natural fungi that starts to grow and colonize when the soil temperature is 39 degrees, which is important when you live in an area that has snow and the soil is still cool when the seedlings start to emerge. bad fungi can attack your seedlings before the soil temp is high enough to support the growth of mycorrhizal fungi.

I purchased some of the TRICHODERMA ATROVIRIDE direct from the manufacturer and was able to talk to Kelly, one of the head people and she was alot of help with questions I had. And they will sell small quantities and a small amount will cover a large area.
Here is some of Ampac TRICHODERMA ATROVIRIDE pages:


www.ampacbiotech.net/research/ging1.html

www.ampacbiotech.net/research/ginseng/ginsengslide.html

www.ampacbiotech.net/products/Flowable/flowable.htm

www.ampacbiotech.net/Articles%20&%20Pubs/trich.html

I feel that the biggest advantage with the TRICHODERMA ATROVIRIDE is that it can get growing in the cold soil before the bad fungi has a chance to start growing in the spring.

I'm pretty excited to see the results of using this product.

classicfur

This is a ginseng farm that is using and selling mycorrhizal fungi. He has it listed under \"Products\" on his web page shown below. I might try some as an experiment on a side by side ginseng bed to see if there is any difference. I have read one article that stated you can inoculate your seeds when they smile or grin with the mycorrhizal fungi. But they have to be cracked as we have all seen seeds do later in the year if you wait until spring to plant. By inoculating the seed it would not be necessary to buy a lot of mycorrhizal fungi. Sure sounds like it gives the seed a great start and helps it resist disease as well. I am not sure how the Ginseng roots will look thou. We all know faster growing and bigger roots with fine root hairs is not always a good thing.
So who knows what a wild simulated seed planting would produce root wise if the mycorrhizal fungi is used. I still may try a bed or two to see.


www.segoherbfarm.com/press.html

Thanks,
Latt

Classicfur,
Very impressive information!!! I read each web link that you had posted and this really seems like a great product that will help in disease control and produce bigger healthy plants naturally.
I almost feel like I have to buy some now and if I do not I will be missing out on giving my seeds and roots a natural solution in keeping them healthy.
How much do you recommend for a 1,600 square foot seed bed? How do you apply it and how often?
I am sure the manufacture can answer this but I would like to hear about your experience with it if you do not mind.
Thanks,
Latt

Latt

Here is the product label. You may have to click on it to enlarge.

www.ampacbiotech.net/products/Labels/Flowable%20Label.jpg

For 1600 sq ft they recommend 1/2 oz. mixed with 3 gallons of water.

here is some of an email I have from Kelly with Ampac.

Kelly

Thanks for your quick reply

Another Question. In growing ginseng, the seedlings start emerging from the ground usually 3-4 weeks after all the snow is gone in late april. The soil teperature is still pretty low at that time. If Plant Helper is applied to the soil when the temperature is dropping below freezing point at night, is there a danger of harming the Trichoderma by freezing? Or what is the lowest soil temp that I can apply the Plant Helper?

And What is the approximate amount of plant helper that can be mixed in a 2 gallon pressure sprayer?

Thanks for your help

Jeff

---

Hi Jeff

Sorry for the late reply, one of those days

Our Trich is a cold tolerant one, isolated in Alaska. That being said, if the soil temps are below freezing then the Trichoderma won't be active, but it should't kill it. I am not sure if I would want to use it at below freezing, just due to method of application. I would get it applied as soon as it comes just above freezing so that it can become active before other problems start to activate. I would say at 33 to 40 degrees.

Jeff, for the first application, I would go in with 2 tablespoons for two gallons, you can decrease it slightly for future apps, depeding on the reason for use.

We alsohave a graular formulation that is a slow release formula. Have you checked out our web site? www.ampacbiotech.net

Thanks Jeff any other questions just let me know.

Kelly

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Kelly also sent me a sample of the granular formula to try out. It can be sprinkled on top of the leaves or soil.


Im going to try it out in a small way until I see the results. But it would definately help protect from damping off disease.

classicfur

Latt

2 oz. cost about $18. price is lower for larger qty.

classicfur

Classicfur
That is a very reasonable price.
Thanks,
Latt

Im curious as to what will chemicals like Ridomil suposively do to this fungi, since it is engineered to kill the bad sort... I wonder if it will harm the good. Probably so if I had to guess

Yeh this stuff was studied by an old bud Brad, at Emerald farms. Seems to be a good additive to the woods grown gardens were the soil has been tilled and ammended. Costly back then at $2500/acre but you could apply it by hand on the individual plants and save a lot.
-is this stuff naturally occuring in forest soil?

guy

Hillhopper,
That's a great question about Chemicals killing the good and bad fungi and I do not know for sure. I agree with you, it would seem if a chemical is going to kill the bad it would kill the good fungi as well.

Guy,
Yea arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is one of four similar fungi found naturally in a healthy forest soil.
I am not sure about TRICHODERMA ATROVIRIDE (COLD TOLERANT TRICHODERMA) which comes from Alaska apparently.

I think from what Classicfur had posted there is plenty of information and contact information listed for those of us that are interested in the product and would like to ask questions from the manufacturer. Same with the Re:arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as the ginseng farmer that owns Sego Herb Farm could probably answer any questions for any of us that are interested in this as well. It sounds like both fungi do the same thing but the TRICHODERMA ATROVIRIDE is cold temperature tolerant but might not be native to states other than Alaska. Not sure if that is bad or good.

This is all new to me but I find it interesting if it is possible to grow larger healthier ginseng roots and plants using a fungi verses a chemical. I read some more about both fungi and it sure seems like the studies and statistics are there that show it makes the seeds resistant to diseases too.

Thanks,
Latt