[dizzlekush]

The use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (AM) for the propagation of Marijuana has long been discussed. Until recently I personally have been on the side of mycorrhizae having very limited benefits for marijuana cultivation due to the large amount of time it takes for AM to colonize a host plant, the antagonism that >35ppm of P has on AM production, the ability for mycorrhizae to become detrimental to plant growth due to loss of carbohydrates through root exudates, and several other factors. But when i started doing some research on proven methods/substances to improve the essential oil (EO) production of crops, a large amount of significant results were coming from inoculating crops with AM. Now im not sure what to think.

After a look through the research it does seem apparent that there can be certain genotype/cultivar specific symbiosis between host plant and AM that increases EO production beyond basic increased water and nutrient (mainly P) acquisition. However most studies show that the increase in P acquisition is the cause of increased EO production via AM inoculation. Unfortunately since the increase in EO from AM is very genotype/cultivar specific, and since there is no studies being done on AM and increased EO production in Cannabis sativa (which again results would probably vary on phenotype of cannabis and species of AM), i think we marijuana growers are still a little too left in the dark on the subject to really be able to increase EO production via AM inoculation beyond what normal nutritional supplementation could achieve.

Below is the research i have come across, with abstracts publicly displayed and with articles provided in full in the attachments below. I hope this can help shed a little more light on the possible benefits AM might provide for us marijuana growers.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza alter the concentration of essential oils in oregano (Origanum sp., Lamiaceae)
T. Khaosaad & H. Vierheilig & M. Nell & K. Zitterl-Eglseer & J. Novak

"The effect of root colonization by Glomus mosseae on the qualitative and quantitative pattern of essential oils (EO) was determined in three oregano genotypes (Origanum sp.). To exclude a simple P-mediated effect through mycorrhization the effect of P application to plants on the EO accumulation was also tested. In two genotypes the leaf biomass was increased through mycorrhization. Root colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) did not have any significant effect on the EO composition in oregano; however, in two genotypes the EO concentration significantly increased. As EO levels in P- treated plants were not enhanced, we conclude that the EO increase observed in mycorrhizal oregano plants is not due to an improved P status in mycorrhizal plants, but depends directly on the AMF–oregano plant association."

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can induce the production of phytochemicals in sweet basil irrespective of phosphorus nutrition
J. -P. Toussaint & F. A. Smith & S. E. Smith

"The potential of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance the production of antioxidants (rosmarinic and caffeic acids, RA and CA) was investigated in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). After adjusting phosphorus (P) nutrition so that P concentrations and yield were matched in AM and non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants we demonstrated that Glomus caledonium increased RA and CA production in the shoots. Glomus mosseae also increased shoot CA concentration in basil under similar conditions. Although higher P amendments to NM plants increased RA and CA concentrations, there was higher production of RA and CA in the shoots of AM plants, which was not solely due to better P nutrition. Therefore, AMF potentially represent an alternative way of promoting growth of this important medicinal herb, as natural ways of growing such crops are currently highly sought after in the herbal industry."

Effects of three AM fungi on growth, distribution of glandular hairs, and essential oil production in Ocimum basilicum L. var. Genovese
Andrea Copetta & Guido Lingua & Graziella Berta

"The essential oils of basil are widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, and flavoring industries. Little is known about the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to affect their production in this aromatic plant. The effects of colonization by three AM fungi, Glomus mosseae BEG 12, Gigaspora margarita BEG 34, and Gigaspora rosea BEG 9 on shoot and root biomass, abundance of glandular hairs, and essential oil yield of Ocimum basilicum L. var. Genovese were studied. Plant P content was analyzed in the various treatments and no differences were observed. The AM fungi induced various modifications in the considered parameters, but only Gi. rosea significantly affected all of them in comparison to control plants or the other fungal treatments. It significantly increased biomass, root branching and length, and the total amount of essential oil (especially α-terpineol). Increased oil yield was associated to a significantly larger number of peltate glandular trichomes (main sites of essential oil synthesis) in the basal and central leaf zones. Furthermore, Gi. margarita and Gi. rosea increased the percentage of eugenol and reduced linalool yield. Results showed that different fungi can induce different effects in the same plant and that the essential oil yield can be modulated according to the colonizing AM fungus."

Plant development and synthesis of essential oils in micropropagated and mycorrhiza inoculated plants of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart
Irene Morone-Fortunato Æ Pinarosa Avato

"Biomass production of micropropagated oregano was induced by inoculation with the fungus Glomus viscosum. The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis on morphological and metabolic variations of regenerated oregano plants were investigated at different growth stages. AM greatly increased parameters such as plant leaf area, fresh and dry weight, number of spicasters and verticillasters in infected plants. An increase of the gland density, especially on the upper leaf epidermis, was also observed following the physiological aging of the tissues. The in vitro plants of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum described in this study provided a qualitatively and quantitatively good source of essential oils that have a chemical profile comparable to that of the control mother plants with carvacrol as the main compound."

Microbial and chemical sources of phosphorus supply modulate the yield and chemical composition of essential oil of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium species) in sodic soils
Arun Prasad & Sanjay Kumar & Ankit Pandey & Sukhmal Chand

"Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) is a highly valued aromatic crop. Its growth is limited by soil salinity and sodicity stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and P fertilizers may enhance the growth and secondary metabolism in geranium plants. In this context, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of PSB, AM fungi (Glomus intraradices), and P fertilizer on the yield, chemical composition of essential oil, and mineral element acquisition of geranium. The dry matter yield of shoot and essential oil yield, and mineral element (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, and Zn) uptake in shoot tissues of geranium were significantly increased by the inoculation with AM fungi, co-inoculation with AM fungi and PSB, and P fertilization as compared to control. While the co-inoculation of geranium with AM fungi and PSB significantly enhanced the content of the monoterpenes such as citronellol, geraniol, geranial, and a sesquiterpene (10-epi-γ eudesmol), the P fertilization only enhanced the content of a sesquiter- pene, 10-epi-γ eudesmol in the volatile oil. We conclude that the co-inoculation of PSB and AM fungi could be the best natural alternative to phosphate fertilizers to enhance the yield and quality of essential oil from geranium plants grown in sodic soils."

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with Artemisia umbelliformis Lam, an endangered aromatic species in Southern French Alps, influence plant P and essential oil contents
Marie-Noëlle Binet & Diederik van Tuinen & Nicolas Deprêtre & Nathalie Koszela & Catherine Chambon & Silvio Gianinazzi

"Root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi of Artemisia umbelliformis, investigated in natural and cultivated sites in the Southern Alps of France, showed typical structures (arbuscules, vesicles, hyphae) as well as spores and mycelia in its rhizosphere. Several native AM fungi belonging to different Glomeromycota genera were identified as colonizers of A. umbelliformis roots, including Glomus tenue, Glomus intraradices, G. claroideum/etunicatum and a new Acaulospora species. The use of the highly mycorrhizal species Trifolium pratense as a companion plant impacted positively on mycorrhizal colonization of A. umbelliformis under greenhouse conditions. The symbiotic performance of an alpine microbial community including native AM fungi used as inoculum on A. umbelliformis was evaluated in greenhouse conditions by comparison with mycorrhizal responses of two other alpine Artemisia species, Artemisia glacialis and Artemisia genipi Weber. Contrary to A. genipi Weber, both A. mbelliformis and A. glacialis showed a significant increase of P concentration in shoots. Volatile components were analyzed by GC–MS in shoots of A. umbelliformis 6 months after inoculation. The alpine microbial inoculum increased significantly the percentage of E-β-ocimene and reduced those of E-2-decenal and (E,E)-2-4-decadienal indicating an influence of alpine microbial inoculum on essential oil production. This work provides practical indications for the use of native AM fungi for A. umbelliformis field culture."

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on growth, essential oil production and nutrients uptake in basil
MirHassan Rasouli-Sadaghiani, Abbas Hassani, Mohsen Barin, Younes Rezaee Danesh and Fatemeh Sefidkon

"The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on root colonization, growth, essential oil content and composition and nutrient acquisition of basil (Ocimum basilicum) was investigated as complete randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replications. Fungi inoculation treatments consisted: Gf (Glomus fasciculatum), Ge(Glomus etuonicatum), Gi (Glomus intraradices), and NM (non-mycorrhizal). The results showed mycorrhizal plants significantly had higher shoot and root dry weight, leaf area, plant height, numbers of lateral branches, as well as N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Cu and Mn concentration compared to non-inoculated plants. The effect of AM fungi inoculation on the root colonization, growth parameters and yield of basil are more pronounced with G. fasciculatum than other AM fungi. The G. fasciculatum inoculation significantly increased essential oil content and yield. Analysis of essential oil by GC and GC/MS showed that linalool formed the highest relative abundance of the main compounds in leaf essential oils of basil and methyl chavicol profile was considerably increased with AM fungi inoculation. Increased essential oil percent of AM fungi plants was correlated with root fungal colonization (r = 0.997**) and leaf P content (r = 0.994**). It is concluded that G. fasciculatum was more effective than other species, which may indicate effective symbiotic potential of this strain with basil roots."

Heavy metals and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can alter the yield and chemical composition of volatile oil of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)
Arun Prasad & Sanjay Kumar & Abdul Khaliq & Ankit Pandey

"The effects of increasing levels of metals (10 and 20 mg of Cr kg-1 and 25 and 50 mg of Cd, Pb, and Ni kg-1 soil) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus intraradices on the yield, chemical composition of volatile oil, and metal accumulation in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were investigated in a pot experiment. The shoot yield, content of essential oil, and root yield of sweet basil were increased by the application of low dose of Cd, Pb, and Ni as compared to control. The application of high level of metals had deleterious effect on the yield. In soil with low dose of metal applied, AM fungi inoculation significantly enhanced the metal concentration in shoots and had adverse effect on the yield, whereas in soil with high dose of metal applied, AM fungal inoculation reduced the metal concentration in shoot and had beneficial effect on the yield. The content of linalool in basil oil was decreased and that of methyl chavicol was increased by the application of Cr, Cd, and Pb in soil as compared to control. Similarly, the level of linalool and methyl chavicol was decreased and that of methyl eugenol was increased by the application of Ni as compared to control. However, AM fungal inoculation led to maintain the content of linalool, methyl chavicol, and methyl eugenol in volatile oil, which were either increased or decreased by the application of metals. We conclude that the AM–sweet basil symbiosis could be used as a novel approach to enhance the yield and maintain the quality of volatile oil of sweet basil under metal-contaminated soils."

Effect of Mycorrhizal Symbiosis and Bacillus coagolance on Qualitative and Quantitative Traits of Matricaria chamomilla under Different Levels of Phosphorus
Sorour Saedi Farkoosh, Mohammad Reza Ardakani, Farhad Rejali, Mohammad Taghi Darzi and Amir Hossein Faregh

"Currently, medicinal plants are of considerable interest in Iran. Matricaria chamomilla is amongst medicinal plants and regarding its wide distribution and essential oil components it has become a prominent plant. Medicinal plants have a superior performance and yield under organic farming conditions in comparison with conventional farming. A factorial design experiment was conducted on field to investigate the effects of Mycorrhizal fungi, (different species as one complex treatment) in two levels including non-inoculated (M0) and inoculated (M1) and Phosphate solubilizing bacteria ( Bacillus coagolance) in two levels including non- inoculated (B0) and inoculated (B1) and Triple super phosphate in three levels including (P0: 0 kg/ ha, P1: 50 kg/ ha and P2: 100 kg/ ha) on qualitative and quantitative traits of Matricaria chamomilla. Relevant characteristics including plant height, number of flowers per m2, flower size, fresh and dry weight of flowers, dry weight of aerial parts as well as percentage and yield of essential oil and its components (kamazulens and Bisabololen compounds) were measured. Results revealed a significant effect of the interactive treatments in most studied properties and moreover enhancement in quality of yield was more than yield quantity. Establishment of an effective symbiotic relationship between this medicinal plant and arbuscular myccorrhizal fungi and efficient inoculation with phosphate solubilizing bacteria and application of triple super phosphate in proper amount (50 kg/ ha) resulted in augmentation in essential oil yield and its components (kamuzulen and bisabolen compounds)."

Glomus macrocarpum: a potential bioinoculant to improve essential oil quality and concentration in Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) and Carum (Trachyspermum ammi (Linn.) Sprague)
Rupam Kapoor, Bhoopander Giri and Krishan G. Mukerji

"The effects of application of two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus macrocarpum and G. fasciculatum on shoot biomass and concentration of essential oil in Anethum graveolens L. and Trachyspermum ammi (Linn.) Sprague fruits were evaluated. Results revealed significant variation in effectiveness of the two AM fungal species. AM fungal inoculation in general improved the growth of the plants. On mycorrhization, the concentration of essential oil increased up to 90% in dill and 72% in carum over their respective controls. Glomus macrocarpum was more effective than G. fasciculatum in enhancing the oil concentration. The constituents of the essential oils were characterized by gas liquid chromatography. The levels of limonene and carvone were enhanced in essential oil obtained from G. macrocarpum-inoculated dill plants, while G. fasciculatum inoculation resulted in a higher level of thymol in carum."

[Ise]

Thanks dizzle, this is right up my alley for favored reading material.

Peace
Ise

[IMO]

thinking about going organic?!... myco's are pretty heavily debated subject, seems to me like they are most beneficial in no-till type situations and recycle grows, or simple application in cloning/transplant. at best, they will in fact increase EO production, nutrient uptake and overall growth, at worst theyll do...nothing, and more than likely they will simply improve soil composition.

if youre interested in tinkering bioag is a great source, ive fooled around with their VAM+activator and humic/fulvic solutions.

[dizzlekush]

After doing more reading i found that the most common cause for increases in EO production in plants is due to increased glandular trichome density, since the majority of terpenes/terpenoids that make up EO are synthesized and stored in glandular trichomes. So i decided to see if there was any literature on AM increasing glandular trichome density/initiation to see if that was the cause of the increase in EO production often brought on by AM inoculation. Sure enough there is a significant body of evidence that AM increase trichome density, even irrespective of nutrient accumulation.

I personally believe, since there is a significant body of evidence that proves it, that arbuscular mycorrhizae increase terpene/terpenoid/essential oil content of plants by increasing total N and P uptake as well as increasing endogenous jasmonate synthesis for the host plant which leads to increases in glandular trichome production, and in turn increases in terpene/terpenoid/EO concentration.

There is also literature that shows that endogenous jasmonate levels are used to control AM colonization of host plant, with higher endogenous jasmonate levels decreasing colonization by AM. Jasmonates also control carbohydrate flow from source tissue (leaves) to sink tissue (roots) with higher jasmonate levels leading to more carbohydrate translocation to roots. Therefore i believe that AM controls the host plants carbohydrate exudation and susceptibility to further AM colonization by effecting endogenous jasmonate levels/synthesis of the host plant.

Effects of three AM fungi on growth, distribution of glandular hairs, and essential oil production in Ocimum basilicum L. var. Genovese
Andrea Copetta, Guido Lingua and Graziella Berta

The essential oils of basil are widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, and flavoring industries. Little is known about the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to affect their production in this aromatic plant. The effects of colonization by three AM fungi, Glomus mosseae BEG 12, Gigaspora margarita BEG 34, and Gigaspora rosea BEG 9 on shoot and root biomass, abundance of glandular hairs, and essential oil yield of Ocimum basilicum L. var. Genovese were studied. Plant P content was analyzed in the various treatments and no differences were observed. The AM fungi induced various modifications in the considered parameters, but only Gi. rosea significantly affected all of them in comparison to control plants or the other fungal treatments. It significantly increased biomass, root branching and length, and the total amount of essential oil (especially α-terpineol). Increased oil yield was associated to a significantly larger number of peltate glandular trichomes (main sites of essential oil synthesis) in the basal and central leaf zones. Furthermore, Gi. margarita and Gi. rosea increased the percentage of eugenol and reduced linalool yield. Results showed that different fungi can induce different effects in the same plant and that the essential oil yield can be modulated according to the colonizing AM fungus.

THREE ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI DIFFERENTLY AFFECT GROWTH, DISTRIBUTION OF GLANDULAR TRICHOMES AND ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION IN OCIMUM BASILICUM VAR. GENOVESE
A. Copetta, G. Lingua, G. Berta, L. Bardi, G. Masoero

(full text shows results - no access yet)
Sweet basil is an economically important plant, and its essential oils, synthesised and stored in glandular hairs, are widely used in several industries. In the present paper, the effects induced by three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae or Gigaspora margarita or Gigaspora rosea) on shoot and leaf development of Ocimum basilicum var. Genovese were evaluated. Results showed that different fungi can induce different effects on the same plant. NIR (Near Infra Red) Spectroscopy of intact leaf and Electronic Nose analysis both confirmed a high level of variability (R²>0.5), therefore NIR well distinguished inoculated and control plants while EN figures were closer to the chemical aromatic profiles. A potential application of such techniques is discussed.

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza and phosphorus application on artemisinin concentration in Artemisia annua L.
Rupam Kapoor, Vidhi Chaudhary and A. K. Bhatnagar

Annual wormwood (Artemisia annua L.) produces an array of complex terpenoids including artemisinin, a compound of current interest in the treatment of drug-resistant malaria. However, this promising antimalarial compound remains expensive and is hardly available on the global scale. Synthesis of artemisinin has not been proved to be feasible commercially. Therefore, increase in yield of naturally occurring artemisinin is an important area of investigation. The effects of inoculation by two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus macrocarpum and Glomus fasciculatum, either alone or supplemented with P-fertilizer, on artemisinin concentration in A. annua were studied. The concentration of artemisinin was determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The two fungi significantly increased concentration of artemisinin in the herb. Although there was significant increase in concentration of artemisinin in nonmycorrhizal P-fertilized plants as compared to control, the extent of the increase was less compared to mycorrhizal plants grown with or without P-fertilization. This suggests that the increase in artemisinin concentration may not be entirely attributed to enhanced P-nutrition and improved growth. A strong positive linear correlation was observed between glandular trichome density on leaves and artemisinin concentration. Mycorrhizal plants possessed higher foliar glandular trichome (site for artemisinin biosynthesis and sequestration) density compared to nonmycorrhizal plants. Glandular trichome density was not influenced by P-fertilizer application. The study suggests a potential role of AM fungi in improving the concentration of artemisinin in A. annua.

Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) to the adaptions exhibited by the deciduous shrub Anthyllis cytisoides under water deficit
Nieves Goicoechea, Silvia Merino and Manuel Sanchez-Diaz

(excerpt from results)
When soil moisture was plentiful, leaves from non- mycorrhizal and mycorrhizae A. cytisoides showed similar percentages of abaxial surface covered by epicuticular waxes and comparable densities of trichomes in both adaxial and abaxial surfaces. However, the amount of epicuticular wax on the leaf adaxial surface was greater in non-mycorrhizal than in mycorrhizal plants. At the end of peak drought stress, the amount of epicuticular wax had increased in A. cytisoides associated with G. fasciculatum, and the highest deposition occurred on the abaxial surface of the leaves. Trichome density was also enhanced on the leaf adaxial surface of stressed mycorrhizal plants.

Induced Resistance in Mycorrhizal Tomato is correlated to Concentration of Jasmonic Acid
Rupam Kapoor

The study shows that Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are capable of imparting disease tolerance in tomato plants pre-infected with Fusarium Oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici (FOL). Inoculation of tomato seedlings with Glomus Macrocarpum (GM) or Glomus Fasciculatum (GF), 20 days after infection with FOL reduced pathogen spread and disease severity by 75 and 78 %, respectively. The mycorrhizal plants showed increased growth, possessed higher Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase activity (PAL), phenol concentration and foliar trichome density. Upto nine-fold increase in concentration of Jasmonic Acid (JA) was observed in mycorrhizal tomato plants compared to FOL-infected control plants. The increased JA concentration in mycorrhizal plants was concomitant to systemic enhanced defence response measured in terms of increase in PAL activity, concentration of phenols and trichome density in leaves. The above parameters showed strong positive correlation with endogenous level of JA. The results suggest implication of JA in AMF-induced systemic resistance.

[Epiphyte]

Thanks for the info......Cannabis and plants in general are amazing...thanks for helping us further understand the complexity of trich production.

[plastochron]

DK, great lit review. I believe that there is also crosstalk between other phytohormones either synthesized directly by the AM (and/or associated mycorrhizophere bacteria) or synthesized by the plant and modulated by the associations. Although the role of JA seems to be conserved in relation to synthesis of terpenes and terpene phenols, the effect of other gibberellins can have opposite effects on glandular trichome production and secondary metabolite synthesis depending on the plant. I wonder how important the role of gibberellins is in these associations (especially relative to JA) because that would have a huge influence on how extrapolateable these results are to Cannabis... seeing as some the plants used in the above referenced articles have + opposite response to GA during flowering. I also wonder what the role of photoperiod regulating proteins have in this discussion (or rather how these microbially induced phytohormonal changes interact the photoperiod regulating mechanisms), as many of the plants used in the articles referenced above are long-day flowerers. There is a fair amount of similar publications on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Over the past couple days I have been thinking about how one might develop a method to differentiate phytohormones synthesized by microbes vs. their host and in turn how to quantify the resulting influence on secondary metabolite pathways. Any idears?

[plastochron]

Here are some reviews about the bacteria referenced above as well as their interactions with mycorrizae. Definitely some redundant info in there but I feel like they all have their merits... especially in diagrams and pics.

[plastochron]

The PDF was too large for me to attach but here is the name and abstract of a great review on AM and phytohormones:

Chapter 8
Hormonal Responses in Host Plants Triggered by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
Jutta Ludwig-Müller


IN

H. Koltai and Y. Kapulnik (eds.), Arbuscular Mycorrhizas: Physiology and Function, DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-9489-6_8, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

169 H. Koltai and Y. Kapulnik (eds.), Arbuscular Mycorrhizas: Physiology and Function,
DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-9489-6_8, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Abstract Plant hormones are essential factors for the development of plants. They also constitute signals for the interaction of plants with microbes, including both pathogens and symbionts. The role of different classes of hormones in symbiosis is just beginning to unravel. The major advances in our knowledge on hormones in
arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) development have come from the analysis of increasing number of mutants and transgenic plants, which are available also for mycorrhizal plants now, as well as more sensitive analytical techniques. Auxins might be necessary for root growth, while cytokinins could be involved in recognition as well as in establishment of functional mycorrhiza. Jasmonic and abscisic acids are necessary for proper arbuscule formation, but for most hormones functional analysis is missing. Here, the knowledge on possible functions of different phytohormones is summarized, some data on function as far as available, are discussed and finally some
thoughts about belowground signals to aboveground tissues and their effects in relation to the possible role of hormones in the upper part of the plant are given.

Well damn! I've been on the side of AM not adding much value for annuals such as C. sativa. But research on other annuals (the basil) clearly shows it can have an effect, so...?

Thanks for shaking up my paradigms yet again, dizzlekush. Can't let my thinking get too dogmatic, gotta keep it pragmatic and my pragmatic side always suggests a complete 'sphere' (bio, influence, what have you) is probably better than a hemi.

[dizzlekush]

Originally Posted by plastochron

Here are some reviews about the bacteria referenced above as well as their interactions with mycorrizae. Definitely some redundant info in there but I feel like they all have their merits... especially in diagrams and pics.

thanks for attaching those plast.

Do you think you might be able to list the the articles that you've attached in your post with the format:

Title
Authors

Its the same way as i format the articles above minus the abstracts and the quotation boxes. This is not a format i made up. posters at ICMag try to do this for 2 reasons
1. so posters will be able to discern what concepts any particular article is going over without downloading it first
2. to give credit to the authors for the provided information.

I know it takes an extra minute but it would be much appreciated by posters, including me.

thanks.