you need to infect a donor plant then plant it next to the plant you wish to infect or you can buy expensive injection systems which shoot a gel into the root zone

If you pour a dilute peroxide solution over a wound, you will notice the fizz. That fizz comes from the oxydation of, not only any potential pathogens, but from the oxydation of cells belonging to lacerated blood, tissue, and nerves. H2o2’s oxydizing action is not selective.

Do you know for a fact that H2O2 kills the beneficials? I have heard that it will only kill anaerobic bugs.

Another thing worth mentioning: bacteria may be more beneficial than mycorrhyzae, depending on what you grow. Some annuals, for example, may benefit more from a seasonal fling with bacteria, whereas certain trees and perennials profit from a long-term relationship with fungi. This is not a hard and fast rule and I highly recommend reading the aforementioned book for a more in-depth look at which microorganism would better benefit what type of plant.

First, I use non-organic nutrients in a hydroponic operation. I employ light doses of 3% H2O2 to keep the roots healthy and the waterways clean. Would it be possible to continue this practice without killing the mycorrhizal fungi, or would it be better not to inoculate with the fungi in this application?

Secondly, aside from improved root disease resistance, are there other benefits to the hydroponically grown plant? In my view, water and consumable nutrients are abundantly available to the roots in most hydroponic applications, so the “expanded root system” benefit of the mycorrhizal fungi may not be useful to the hydroponically grown plant. Since there are no organic materials in solution or in the medium (at least in my operation) the plant does not benefit from the ability of the fungi to break down the nutrient compounds so they are in a form that the plant can easily consume. The hydroponic nutrients are already in a form easily available to the plants. Are there other benefits to the non-organic hydroponic garden?

As is often the case in the field of horticulture and, for that matter, the wider universe, the truth is invariably a good deal more complex than we sometimes conceive it to be. There are over 20,000 studies of mycorrhizae and phosphorus uptake. Furthermore there are many different strains of mycorrhizae with different attributes. Some mycorrhizal species and strains are sensitive to high levels of available P, which can inhibit propagule germination, whereas other species and strains thrive in a moderate P environment. A quality mycorrhizae product is created by using strains that thrive in a moderate P environment.

Trichodema harazianum and T. konigii improved root growth and mycorrhizal colonization in several replicated trials. Is there a Trichoderma species that would compete with mycorrhizal fungi in a certain situation/environment? We asked Dr. Michael Amaranthus from Myco Apply. He reported that in his 35 year career he has never experienced this kind of thing. Nevertheless, we concede that it is possible. Again, it’s a question of species. I believe also that JH Biotech in Ventura would tell you that nutrient cycling with the tricos does, in fact, take place.

To better evaluate your comments, it would have been helpful for you to post citations of any scientific research or publications that back up your assertions or, at least, a valid email address to enable a private correspondence. I have posted some references to some studies that you may find informative: http://urbangardenmagazine.com/tag/research

Nb. If you had provided a valid email address we would have taken the opportunity to make a private request to you, asking you politely to refrain from posting insults (especially directed at our editorial and research team) on our public website. While the relative anonymity of communication via Internet forums can doubtlessly promote incisive debates and exchanges, we must also try not to let ourselves get carried away when it comes to asserting our opinions as objective facts, lest we embarrass ourselves very publicly!

To this end, we edited some of your comments. I hope you don’t mind.

Peace,
Everest