FRIENDLY FUNGI IN THE GARDEN All the Little Creatures We Depend On For Life Michele Stanton Extension Agent for Horticulture Kenton County, KY
WHAT WE LL TALK ABOUT TODAY Who lives in your soil What roles they play Some beneficial fungi to know How you can foster plants, organic matter, and fungi in the soil
THANKS TO The U.S. Department of Agriculture The Natural Resource Conservation Service s Soil Biology website http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/photogallery/soils/health/biolo gy/gallery/?cid=1788&position=promo Teaming with Microbes by Lowenfels & Lewis
WHO LIVES IN OUR SOILS? Thanks to the National Resource Conservation Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for this and many other graphics used in this presentation today.
AT THE ROOT OF IT ALL (GROAN): PLANTS Plants are organisms that take up carbon dioxide into their leaves; absorb water, oxygen, and mineral nutrients through their roots; and synthesize their own energy/food through photosynthesis.
PLANTS AND OTHER PHOTOSYNTHESIZERS Plants, algae, and a few specialized bacteria can photosynthesize. They use the energy from the sun, along with CO 2, water, and minerals in the soil, to create the materials upon which the rest of us rely. When they die, they leave behind organic matter. They are the FIRST TROPHIC LEVEL, the foundation of most life on earth.
II: SECOND TROPIC LEVEL Who feeds on plants? These are fungi, bacteria, and minute roundworms -Decomposers -Parasites and pathogens -Root feeders -And a few others These make organic matter and minerals more available to plant roots, and return it to the system as they live and die.
III: THIRD TROPHIC LEVEL Who feeds on those little animals? Shredders Arthropods Insects, mites, pillbugs, crustaceans Usually on the surface or in upper soil area Predators Animals that eat the shredders: spiders, beetles, others Herbivores and others Animals that feed on bacteria, fungi and they all add organic matter to the soil as they live and die.
IV: FOURTH TROPHIC LEVEL Larger insect and arthropod predators Larger predatory nematodes (Roundworms) and they all add organic matter back into the environment.
BEYOND THEM The animals you recognize: Birds Mice, voles, chipmunks, squirrels, rats Moles Snakes, lizards, frogs These, too, return organic matter into the system as they live and die.
FOR TODAY: ONE PART OF THE SFW
BACK TO THE BEGINNING IT ALL COMES BACK TO PLANTS Some creatures eat live plants Some creatures eat dead or dying plants Some creatures feed on nutrients plants leak When plants die, they become more organic matter
ORGANIC MATTER IS AT THE HEART Where does organic matter come from? What does it contain? Why is it like a bank account?
WHY ORGANIC MATTER IS VALUABLE It helps hold mineral nutrients in available form for plant roots It holds moisture for roots in a form that does not drain away It keeps oxygen more readily available for plant roots It is both food and home for other organisms
FUNGI ARE THE ENGINE Fungi help transform organic matter into usable forms. Some fungi eat live plants. Some fungi help decompose dead or dying plants. Some plants trade nutrients and help living plants.
THERE S A FUNGUS AMONGUS Generic fungus Fungal hyphae under the microscope Three types of fungi for today: Saprophytes, Parasites & Pathogens, and Mycorrhizae
A: SAPROPHYTES, THE HEAVY LIFTERS Woody trees and shrubs contain tough organic matter called cellulose and lignin, materials that most other creatures cannot digest. Fungi break it down into more digestible form.
B: PARASITES AND PATHOGENS, THE BAD GUYS Dodder and mistletoe are examples of local plant parasites. Pathogens cause plant disease. Pathogens can also afflict plant pests, so not all are bad. Can you think of human pest equivalents?
C: MUTUALISTS/SYMBIONTS SHARE & AID What s going on?
ENDO- AND ECTO-MYCORRHIZAE
MYCORHIZZAE: FUNGUS ROOT
MYCORRHIZZAE ARE SUPERSTARS They infect plant roots and act as root extensions They take in sugars and return minerals such as phosphorus They suppress competing plants Did you already know there were beneficial infections?
WAIT! THERE S MORE! They increase a plant s drought tolerance They help support growth of plants in a too-shady understory Many (if not most) plants have mycorrhizal associations with specific fungi. Scientists are still learning much about these amazing organisms.
THE CYCLE, AGAIN Plants manufacture sugars. Plants make all life forms possible, and these in turn become organic matter Organic matter in the soil helps bank mineral nutrients for plant roots. Fungi break down other organic matter into plant-usable forms. Fungi assist plants directly, and vice versa.
THE TAKE-HOME LESSON Plants, fungi, and organic matter are the foundation of healthy soils and healthy environments. Garden so as to support this valuable trilogy of organisms and materials.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? 1. Add organic matter of many types to the soil: Q: What kinds of OM could you use? 2. Add as much organic matter as you can.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO? 3. If you move plants, bring a little of their native soil with them. What does that have to do with today s topic? 4. Use pesticides wisely and sparingly. 5. Till infrequently. Why?
AND FINALLY 6. Manage the soil for good drainage. Why is this important? 7. Don t move earthworms.
QUESTIONS?