Mycorrhizae: The Secret Fungal Allies Boosting Crop Health

Beneficial microbes help with development of mycorrhizae.

But wait... what even is mycorrhizae?

Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots.

How is that possible?

The fungus colonizes the plant’s root system.

In exchange:

• The fungus gets sugars (carbohydrates) from the plant (produced via photosynthesis).

• The plant gets increased access to water and nutrients (especially phosphorus and nitrogen) thanks to the fungus.

What is their role in commercial agriculture?

1. Improve Nutrient Uptake

• Mycorrhizae extend the root system through fungal hyphae.

• They help absorb phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and micronutrients more efficiently.

2. Reduce Fertilizer Dependence

• Because they improve nutrient efficiency, you may need less synthetic fertilizer.

• Especially helpful in low-fertility soils.

3. Boost Drought Resistance

• Mycorrhizal networks increase water absorption, making crops more resilient to drought.

4. Strengthen Disease Resistance

• Roots colonized by mycorrhizae are more resistant to soil-borne pathogens like Fusarium and Pythium.

5. Improve Soil Health

• Fungal hyphae help form stable soil aggregates, enhancing soil structure and reducing erosion.

Which Crops Benefit Most from mycorrhizae?

Highly responsive crops:

• Corn

• Wheat

• Tomatoes

• Carrots

• Onions

• Grapes

• Soybeans

Less responsive crops:

Members of the Brassicaceae family (e.g., cabbage, broccoli, mustard) usually don’t

form mycorrhizal associations.

You can also easily spot them!

New knowledge unlocked – check! 

And here's some bonus points. We're gonna share with you 5 interesting facts about mycorrhizae. 

They can change plant gene expression
Mycorrhizal fungi don’t just deliver nutrients — they send chemical signals that actually switch on or off certain plant genes. This can improve drought tolerance, root growth, and even activate plant immune systems before pests arrive.

They can redistribute nutrients between plants
Through a common mycorrhizal network (CMN), fungi can take carbon from one plant and give it to another — even between different species. A shaded, weaker plant might receive carbon from a stronger neighbor, making “plant socialism” a real thing underground.

They’re selective “traders,” not charities
Mycorrhizae assess the “exchange rate” of nutrients with each plant. If a plant offers little carbon in return, the fungi can reduce nutrient delivery or even cut it off. It’s an ancient, highly evolved market system.

They can connect crop plants to weeds — for better or worse
These networks don’t recognize your idea of a “weed.” Mycorrhizae might connect a cash crop to nearby weeds, which can either boost biodiversity and resilience or accidentally share pests/diseases.

They influence entire ecosystems after wildfires
Some mycorrhizal fungi form spores that survive intense heat and rapidly recolonize burned soil, kickstarting plant recovery. Others disappear entirely, reshaping which plants can grow in that area for decades.

Want your corn to perform better this season and your soil get healthier in long term? Maybe it's time to change this this season.