03/18/2026
Rotating in a section of natives on agricultural areas can have a huge benefit on the ecosystem and wallets.
Did you know?
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are microscopic organisms that form a partnership with most plants. Widespread in natural and agricultural settings, these fungi play a fundamental role in how about 80% of plants acquire nutrients and interact with their environment. They are a critical component of healthy soil. For instance, the native AMF in remnant prairie soils is able to pull phosphorus from the soil for native plant use. They are also a part of the mass of soil micro-organisms that help convert organic nitrogen in the soil for plant use. However, tillage and commercial fertilizers make these native AMF uncommon in agricultural fields.
New research by the Kansas Biological Survey, Kansas University, along with trials at the University of Missouri has shown that introducing these native AMF back to planted native forbs typically increases their growth and vigor during the seedling year. They are shown to reduce weedy competition and enhance opportunities for pollinators.
While there are efforts aimed at developing cost-effective means to use AMF inoculants in large scale native forb and grass plantings, it is practical to use in small wildflower gardens and when growing transplants from seed. The inoculant can be watered in or inserted into the soil in the plant’s root zone. It cannot be exposed to UV light. A company called MycoBloom sells native AMF inoculant online, if you want to try it on your garden or on transplants.
Photo from Bayer Crop Science.
