Probiotic Bacteria & Symbiotic Mycorrhizal Fungi Facts

Information provided by Rhizogen (www.rhizogen.com)

 

The following are quick facts for a few probiotic bacteria and symbiotic Mycorrhizal fungi:

 

Secretes the enzyme chitinase, an extra cellular enzyme that enhances plant nutrient uptake by breaking down unusable nutrients into usable ones. B. cerus is also a good competitive exclusion microorganism that works well with B. subtilis.

 

Secretes the enzyme chitinase, and extra cellular enzyme that attacks the outer structural membrane of competitive microorganisms – thus protecting the plant from pathogenic microorganisms.

Acts as a growth promoter through its ability to enhance nutrient and mineral uptake from the plant root rhizosphere.

Secretes proteolytic enzymes, a spectrum of extra cellular enzymes that break down proteins and nutrients in the environment. This enables B. laterosporus to effectively enhance nutrient and mineral uptake into the root zone of the plant.

 

A nitrogen fixer, B. megaterium has the ability to convert gaseous nitrogen into an inorganic form that plants can use. A secondary characteristic is its ability to produce extra cellular enzymes to convert mineralized phosphorus and other nutrients into soluble form for enhanced plant uptake.

 

A natural control of Japanese beetle larvae in turf grass (Popillia japonica), the B. popilliae bacterium is a natural beetle larvae control similar in mechanism to B. thuringiensis. The insect larvae ingest the bacterium and die within five days due to gut starvation.

 

Secretes anti-fungal enzymes to protect the plant from pathogenic fungi. B. subtillis is a strong competitive exclusion microorganism that functions to protect the plant’s root system from potential pathogenic microbes.

 

A naturally occurring bacterial disease of insects, it is most commonly used against some leaf- and needle-feeding caterpillars, as well as certain fly larvae such as mosquitoes, and larvae of leaf beetles. B. thuringiensis produces a protein that reacts with the gut lining of susceptible insects. These proteins paralyze the gut digestive cells, which causes digestive system paralysis and starvation. 

 

A fungus adapted for environmental drought conditions, it has a superior agronomical effect under low soil fertility by forming a high volume of mycelium at the root of the plant.

 

A common fungal species throughout the world, it displays proven disease resistance mechanisms against Fusarium oxysprum, a common fungus that causes Fusarium wilt disease in more than a hundred species of plants.