Bacteria
- Primary decomposers of organic matter
- they lock up nutrients close to the roots (that otherwise might wash away)
- the nutrients are released upon the death of the Bacteria.
- Bacteria act as ‘food storage banks’
Mycorrhizae
- Mycorrhizae are beneficial fungi
- They live symbiotically with the plant’s roots
- roots provide Carbon for the fungus
- the fungus transports Water and Nutrients from the soil to the roots
The Life Blood of Plants is the Soil
Dead soil creates real issues:
- increases pathogens & pests
- holds less water/creates run-off
- makes agriculture/food production cost more money
Healthy Plants depend on a partnership (like all life)
- the life of a root is about 1 to 3 weeks
- if the root does not find a partnership, then it will die
- plants use their roots to forge partnerships with the living soil
- Plants provide their partners with sugars from photosynthesis and their partners reciprocate with minerals and water
Minerals Are Hard to Mine
- Minerals are mined by the Bacterial Specialists
- the Bacterial Colonies surround the root tip in a zone called the rhizosphere
- this zone provides a natural defense barrier for the vulnerable root tip
- The Bacterial Specialists in the rhizosphere are stationary, and remain in place
- the mycorrhizal fungi are mobile network communities and can travel, bringing with them necessary and beneficial water, carbon and nutrients from afar
