Larry Peterson, University of Guelph “Life underground – Interaction between plants and beneficial fungi”.
Have you ever wondered what goes on underground? Larry will discuss how the roots of most plants, including horticultural species, garden plants, crops, and trees interact with beneficial soil fungi forming symbiotic relationships known as mycorrhizas. These fungi tap into nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen as well as water in the soil and transport these to roots. In return, the fungi obtain sugars from the plant for their growth and reproduction. This illustrated talk will cover essential details of the development and function of the main mycorrhizal categories.