The Secret Life of Mycorrhiza

The secret to soil carbon sequestration is in the interaction between live plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi. When a healthy plant photosynthesizes, it exudes soluble carbon from its roots.

Mycorrhizal vs. Decomposer Fungi

Mycorrhizal Fungi: Form symbiotic relationships with living plant roots, create stable long-term carbon storage in soil, and produce complex carbon compounds. Promoted by living roots and healthy soil ecosystems.

Decomposer Fungi: Found in conventional agricultural soils, break down dead organic matter, produce simpler carbon structures that are easily converted to CO2. More prevalent when mycorrhizal relationships are disrupted.

Climate Impact

Every 27 tonnes of carbon sequestered biologically in soil represents 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere.

If all farmland was a net sink rather than a net source for CO2: atmospheric CO2 levels would fall, farm productivity would improve, and watershed function would improve.

Soil Structure

Soil structure comes from the aggregates formed by the soil microbiota. Soil microbes require living roots to grow. Soil aggregates are relatively short-lived. Leaving soil bare damages soil structure.

Application of external fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides drastically diminishes the presence of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil.