Onoma1
Member
I understand that mycrorrhizal fungi are now seen as essential to plant health. A Guardian article today pointed to further research on mapping networks of mycorrhizal fungi and there seems to be an upsurge interest in their significance (see for example the Netflix programme Fantastic Fungi).
I understand that there is research which points to their significance in tropical environments and to the growth of many of the plants we use (i.e Hygrophylla) (de Marins et al., 2009). While the relationship is complex (Fusconi et al., 2018) it seems to be important for both terrestrial and aquatic plants.
The research also seems to suggest that to be that using large amounts of artificial chemicals disrupts the essential relationship between mycrorrhizal fungi and plants which harms both the fungi and the plant health. The analogy seems to be that using large quantities of artificial fertilizers is like offering plants junk food. The plant becomes ‘addicted’ to unhealthy junk food, with negative impacts on long-term plant and soil health, and the fungi die off.
I am really interested in learning more how this could contribute to extending my approach or understanding to 'low tech' into a more ecological approach with the aquarium as a ecosystem (sort of development of the Walstad Method). I wondered if anyone had any further information, thoughts or views?
More provocatively, I think it also suggests one reason why high tech/ energy tanks lack resilience, are fundamentally unstable systems and need so many inputs...
I understand that there is research which points to their significance in tropical environments and to the growth of many of the plants we use (i.e Hygrophylla) (de Marins et al., 2009). While the relationship is complex (Fusconi et al., 2018) it seems to be important for both terrestrial and aquatic plants.
The research also seems to suggest that to be that using large amounts of artificial chemicals disrupts the essential relationship between mycrorrhizal fungi and plants which harms both the fungi and the plant health. The analogy seems to be that using large quantities of artificial fertilizers is like offering plants junk food. The plant becomes ‘addicted’ to unhealthy junk food, with negative impacts on long-term plant and soil health, and the fungi die off.
I am really interested in learning more how this could contribute to extending my approach or understanding to 'low tech' into a more ecological approach with the aquarium as a ecosystem (sort of development of the Walstad Method). I wondered if anyone had any further information, thoughts or views?
More provocatively, I think it also suggests one reason why high tech/ energy tanks lack resilience, are fundamentally unstable systems and need so many inputs...