Mycorrhizal Fungi

In nature mycorrhizal fungi will occur in healthy soils. The use of mono-cropping and unconscious farming methods have destroyed these fungi in most soils globaly. The natural micro-community can be re-established by re-introducing AM mycorrhizal fungi as a general treatment to soils and at planting time as a root dip. These fungal communities make a synergistic and symbiotic bond to the plant host and will provide security, nutrients and water to the plant in return for simple sugars. In an experiment researchers compared the flow of nutrients via mycelium between 3 trees, a Douglas Fir, a paper birch and a red cedar. The Douglas fir and paper birch shared the same ectomycorrhiza (fungi connect to outer surface of root), while the red cedar had an endomycorrhiza (fungi drill into the root). The researchers covered the Douglas fir to stimulate deep shade, by lowering the trees ability to photosynthesize sugars. In response to this, the researchers tracked the nutrient sugars moving from the paper birch to the Douglas fir. More than 9% of the compounds transferred to the fir originated at the root base of the birch. Similar experiments was done by Kristina Arnebrant in 1993 to show the bidirectional flow of nitrogen based nutrients from alder tree to pine through a shared ectomycorrhizal mycelium.

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Mycofiltration

a Term first coined by famous author and mycologist Paul Stamets. Mycofiltration can be loosely termed as the use of mushroom mycelium as a biofilter to clean contaminated water flow. These biofilters can be set up in natural water streams or in swales around the contour of your land, burlap mushroom bags, and bio-active straw bales can be used to clear run-off water from animal lots (effective against E.coli), and is currently being considered as a possible way to clean water in and around informal residential areas. Among mushroom mycelium that is effective in biofilters is the Oyster mushroom (Pleurorus ostreatus) and the Giant Garden Mushroom (Stropharia regosoannulata).

 

Mycoremediation

Can be termed as the use of mushroom mycelium as a medium to remove toxins, both chemical and biological, from our natural environment. In nature mushrooms are the force responsible for breaking down matter into humus and soil. In the mycoremediation process fungi uses its ability to break down structured chemical bonds into lesser molecules and compounds that may be less dangerous to humans and the environment alike. Fungi can break down the complex petrochemical molecules and leave the substrate free of contamination. Studies into these sciences have been made by Fungi Perfecti and various US environmental agencies. If you are interested in the biotech uses of Fungi, I would recommend "Mycelium Running" by Paul Stamets.