What tests to order

Mycorrhizal fungi (VAM)

The kind and amount of beneficial mycorrhizal colonization on the roots is determined in this test. Mycorrhizal fungi are extremely important fungi for plants that require colonization, such as most crop, vegetable, orchard and landscape trees and shrubs. Our testing assesses both ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae (also known as VAM, Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae).

If you have plants in the soil, you need know the percent of the root system colonized by mycorrhizal fungi. We not only assess VAM versus ectomycorrhizal colonization of the roots, but track nodulation by nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, necrosis by disease-causing bacteria and fungi, and insect and soil pest feeding on the roots.

Please remember that we need a representative sample of roots of the plant you want to know about included in the sample. It is best to send all the roots picked from the composite soil sample (see below on obtaining the soil sample).

This test measures:

1. Is enough of the root system protected by mycorrhizal fungi from disease-causing organisms?
2. Is the root system colonized enough to supply nutrients at the rate the plant requires?
3. Would the plant benefit from improved colonization?
4. Percent of the root being attacked by disease-causing organisms.
5. Percent of the root being attacked by root-feeding insects.

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