Prevent problems during dry periods: start using mycorrhizal fungi now!
Long periods of drought can be devastating for crops. When there’s little rain, plants struggle to absorb enough water and nutrients from the soil, which weakens their health and reduces yields. But did you know that nature has its own solutions to help plants cope? Mycorrhizal fungi, which work together with plant roots, help plants absorb water and essential nutrients more efficiently—even in dry conditions.
How drought causes growth stress
When a drought lasts for a while, the roots near the surface dry out first. The plant will try to keep these roots supplied with water, but if the drought continues, it has to make a choice. By sacrificing its shallow roots, it can still access deeper groundwater. The downside? The deeper roots can’t reach the minerals and organic matter concentrated in the topsoil. The result? Growth stress.
Mycorrhizal fungi: natural stress managers
Did you know that mycorrhizal fungi are a natural way to help plants handle drought? In nature, these fungi play a crucial role in plant survival by improving water and nutrient uptake. They live in symbiosis with plants—meaning they depend on each other. The plant provides sugars to the fungus, and in return, the fungus helps the plant access more water and nutrients.
This is especially useful in dry conditions when roots struggle to find enough moisture. Even in soil that feels dry at 25 cm depth, there’s still about 20-30% moisture left. The problem? Plant roots can’t reach it, but mycorrhizal fungi can. With their ultra-thin filaments (only 3 microns wide), they penetrate tiny soil pores and transport water and nutrients directly to the plant.
Enhancing resilience
Mycorrhizal fungi not only improve the availability of macronutrients such as phosphate, but also support the uptake of essential micronutrients like zinc, copper, and manganese. These trace elements strengthen the plant’s physiological processes and help create an environment in which pathogens are less likely to thrive.
Moreover, mycorrhizal fungi produce glomalin, a glycoprotein that contributes to the formation of stable soil aggregates. This improves soil structure, increases water retention, and enhances the aeration of the root zone. Better soil structure not only provides a healthier growing environment for plants but also helps prevent soil erosion and contributes to more sustainable agriculture.
The future: more drought, more need for healthy soil
Climate change is bringing longer periods of drought and heavier rainfall. A healthy soil ecosystem—rich in beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi—is crucial to making plants more resilient and reducing the impact of abiotic stress.
Den Ouden GrowSolutions offers a range of products containing mycorrhizal fungi. These products, RootFit and RootFit+, improve soil structure and water retention, helping plants absorb more water and nutrients—even during dry periods.
How do mycorrhizal fungi work?
Mycorrhizal fungi naturally occur in the soil. They attach to plant roots, forming a symbiotic relationship. The plant feeds the fungus with sugars, while the fungus expands the root system, helping it absorb more water and nutrients. Thanks to these fungi, a plant’s root surface can grow up to 700% larger.
