AACT: Trichoderma & Glomus - Any Conflict w/ Mixed Inoculum?

The effects of fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma on pathogen control and hyphal growth of Glomus mosseae and G. intraradicies have been looked at independently and together with contradictory results being obtained. Some reports (mostly in vitro) say that the endomycorrhizal relationship (fungal hyphae to root hairs) of the Glomus genus was a bit retarded in the presence of Trichoderma (especially T. harzianum, whose ecological job it is to mop up the pathogenic stuff). Other reports fail to show anything but a peaceful relationship - not synergistic, but peaceful.

I want (desperately) to hear from people who have used both genera (Glomus and Trichoderma together) and tell me how things went, specifically, how did the rootball look at harvest. Where you able to use the same soil for a second and/or a third round?

If my query made any sense, please take a shot at answering. Thanks much for taking the time to read this wordy post.

ST

Well that is the golden question about trichoderma! How competitive is it? We know for sure it stimulates the plants immune system without really stressing the plant or harming it. Another key question is what does that interaction do to the plant's other helpers? Does it still feed them exudates in the same manner? I don't really have the answer for you but it is a great question to ponder.

One way to answer would be the products great white and oregonismXL are both full spectrum (bacteria, fungi, mycos, and trichoderma) and many on here plug them and swear by them. Subcool runs oregonismXL as his innoc in supersoil and enjoys good results.
IMO if the trichoderma did anything too drastic to the rest of the herd I doubt these products would work as well as they do and get plugged so much. I have only tried the oregonismXL and my mix was VERY alive with multiple fungi as my greenhouse tomato bed bloomed out 3 distinctly different mushrooms and it yielded very heavy with only 1 TBL Age Old Bloom once per week to feed the bennies in a mostly coco based many times reused mix. I also ran AACT in it.

The other possibility is that trichoderma is so good at boosting the plant that it alone gets these fantastic results and reviews. From what I understand about nature and its microbes I doubt this is the case. Diversity is king in organics and in the living rhizosphere.

Kalyx said:

Diversity is king in organics and in the living rhizosphere.

Click to expand...

Kalyx,

Thanks for the reply. Great quote! When you used the full spectrum oregonismXL, did you notice anything unique about your rootball when all was said and done?

Any other opinions?

ST

I got quite a bit for free as samples. I used it on my greenhouse, outdoor, and indoor. All in all my rootballs and plants were very healthy and some of the nicest I have ever grown. I chalk this up to me getting better at organics and reusing a living soil, not a magical powder with a magical fungus in it. The only thing I do for reuse is remove old rootball as best as possible dust in some innocs and reuse. The best thing I have ever done for increasing my root zone quality is switching to fabric containers and letting air run underneath them until the rootball fills into the new mix. Using AACT and high quality innocs is a close second. Oh yeah and coco is better for roots and reuse IMO.

I'd have to say hitting them with a broad spectrum of all the micros is best as others are saying... the microorganisms will decide which one becomes the best competitor for the root colonization based upon the conditions in your soil. Maybe you are running a high P content soil, which could lead to the trichodermas out competing other bacterium in the culture... So yah, hit with an effective AACT with compost or use a product that has a full spectrum of the benes...

Definitely always hit the root ball directly early on in the life or your plant or your wasting money with that powder stuff though, it takes a bit to fully innoculate. mist your root ball with some kelp / yucca (liquid karma or equiv) and the dust will stick right to the root ball before you put it in the transplant hole

Kalyx, again, thanks for the response. Point taken.

1337hacker, thanks for the sage reply. 'will tease the root-ball with something succulent prior to transplanting her.