How Mycorrhizal Fungi Rebuild Soil, Boost Yield, and Shrink Your Fertilizer Bill
For generations, farmers have leaned heavily on synthetic fertilizers and intensive tillage to achieve higher yields. Yet these practices, while immediately effective, come at a long-term cost: degraded soil structure, declining organic matter, and weakened biological systems. Enter mycorrhizal fungi—a natural, scientifically-backed soil ally that offers a better way forward.
This article explores how these beneficial fungi work, the proven benefits for yield and root development, and why they represent a smarter, more sustainable tool in modern agriculture.
What Are Mycorrhizal Fungi?
Mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic organisms that colonize plant roots and extend their reach through thread-like structures called hyphae. These hyphae effectively serve as an extension of the root system, increasing the plant’s access to water and nutrients—especially phosphorus and micronutrients like zinc and copper (Smith & Read, 2008).
This relationship is mutualistic: the fungi provide nutrients and water, and the plant repays with sugars from photosynthesis. Research from the Soil Food Web Foundation and peer-reviewed journals like New Phytologist confirm the evolutionary and ecological significance of this partnership (van der Heijden et al., 2015).
Scientific Trials: Data-Driven Proof from the Field
In replicated field trials near Wood River, NE (2022), soil scientist Mike Petersen conducted a series of experiments comparing corn treated with mycorrhizal fungi, AgpHRx, and untreated control plots. The results were clear:
● Root Mass: Treated plots had an average of 44.4 nodal roots vs. 37.6 in controls—a 17.8% improvement (Petersen, 2022).
● Stalk Diameter: Fungi-treated plants showed larger stalk diameters, leading to more efficient nutrient transport and reduced risk of green snap.
● Water Use Efficiency: Deeper and more extensive roots accessed cooler subsoil moisture, which mitigated stress during hot summer periods.
● Yield Potential: In previous seasons, similar treatments yielded up to 314 bu/acre—a 12–15% improvement over conventional practices in adjacent plots.
These outcomes are not isolated. Studies by USDA and university extension services echo similar findings across corn, soybean, and wheat systems.
Economic Benefits: Shrinking the Fertilizer Bill
One of the most compelling advantages of mycorrhizal fungi is their ability to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizer over time. As fungi improve phosphorus uptake, nitrogen efficiency, and water retention, growers report:
● 15–25% reduced fertilizer inputs after 2–3 years of consistent application
● Improved ROI per acre, especially in no-till and strip-till systems
● Greater resilience during input shortages or price spikes
Long-term users of New Age Farming products have shared that after 5–6 years, they can maintain soil fertility with minimal added inputs—thanks to established fungal networks.
Sustainability and Soil Regeneration
Beyond yield and economics, the biggest value may be ecological. Mycorrhizal fungi support regenerative practices:
● Reduced Compaction: Hyphal networks improve aggregate stability.
● Weed Suppression: Healthier crops outcompete non-mycorrhizal weeds.
● Long-Term Soil Health: Fungi release glomalin, a sticky protein that binds soil particles, increasing carbon retention and improving tilth.
As Brady Krchnavy, founder of New Age Farming, explains: “We’ve been beating up our soils for over a century. These fungi are a natural path to healing the land.”
What Crops Benefit Most?
While not all plants are mycorrhizal (brassicas like mustard, radish, and canola do not benefit), key staples like corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, and most vegetables are highly responsive. Farmers should avoid applying mycorrhizal fungi right before tilling non-mycorrhizal crops, as this disrupts fungal colonies. Instead, time applications for use on beneficial crops or post-harvest to build future soil strength.
Final Word: An Old Friend for the Future of Farming
The science is clear, the economics are compelling, and the regenerative value is undeniable. Mycorrhizal fungi aren’t a new fad—they’re an ancient biological tool finally being understood and used correctly. As more farmers seek profitability, resilience, and environmental stewardship, fungi-based solutions like those from Farm Fungi and New Age Farming stand at the forefront of real change.
Works Cited:
● Petersen, M. (2022). Field Trial Reports on Mycorrhizal Fungi in Corn Systems. Internal Report. ● Smith, S.E., & Read, D.J. (2008). Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. Academic Press.
● van der Heijden, M.G.A., et al. (2015). “Mycorrhizal ecology and evolution: the past, the present, and the future.” New Phytologist, vol. 205, no. 4, pp. 1406–1423. ● Soil Food Web Foundation. (n.d.). Magnificent Mycorrhizal Fungi. https://www.soilfoodweb.com