Plant Compatibility Guide

Does My Plant Work With Mycorrhizae?

Over 95% of plant species form a beneficial relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. Find out which type your crop needs - or whether it's one of the rare exceptions.

Mycorrhizal fungi form two main types of relationships with plants - endo (inside the root cell) and ecto (around the root surface). Knowing which type your plants need ensures you're applying the right inoculant. Most commercially produced crops and ornamentals fall into the endo category.

Endomycorrhizal Plants

~85% of all plants

Mostly green, leafy plants and the vast majority of commercially produced crops. Includes shrubs and foliage plants (except Rhododendron, Azalea, and Heath), berries (except blueberries, cranberries, and lingonberries), nut trees (except pecan, hazelnuts, and filberts), flowers, vegetables (except Brassica and beets), cultivated grasses, fruit trees, and many wetland species. Use products containing endomycorrhizal (AMF) spores such as MycoApply Endo or Big Foot Granular.

AcaciaAgapanthusAlder (Endo/Ecto)AlfalfaAlmondAppleApricotArtichokeAshAsparagusAspen (Endo/Ecto)AvocadoBambooBananaBarleyBasilBayberryBeans, allBeechBegoniaBlack CherryBlackberryBlack LocustBlue GrammaBox ElderBoxwoodBuckeyeBulbs, allCacaoCactusCamelliaCarrisaCarrotCassavaCeanothusCedarCeleryCherryChrysanthemumCitrus, allCloverCoconutCoffeeCoral TreeCornCottonCottonwood (Endo/Ecto)CowpeaCrab TreeCreosoteCryptomeriaCucumberCurrantCypressDogwoodEggplantElmEucalyptusEuonymusFernFescueFigFlaxFlowers, most allForsythiaFuchsiaGardeniaGarlicGeraniumGrapes, allGrasses, perennialsGreen AshGuayuleGumHackberryHawthornHempHerbs, allHibiscusHollyHostasImpatiensJatrophaJojobaJuniperKiwiLeekLettuceLigustrumLilyLocustLycheeMahoganyMagnoliaMahoniaMangoMaples, allMarigoldsMesquiteMilletMimosaMorning GloryMulberryMyrtleNasturtiumOkraOliveOnionPacific YewPalms, allPampas GrassPassion FruitPapayaPaw PawPeasPeachPeanutPearPeppers, allPistachioPersimmonPittosporumPlumPodocarpusPoinsettiaPoplarPotatoPumpkinRaspberryRedwoodRiceRoseRubberRyegrassSagebrushSaltbrushServiceberrySequoiaShallotSnapdragonSorghumSourwoodSoybeanSquashStar FruitStrawberrySucculentsSudan GrassSugar CaneSumacSunflowerSweet GumSweet PotatoSycamoreTaxusTeaTobaccoTomatoVioletsWalnutWheatYamYuccaWillow (Endo/Ecto)

Ectomycorrhizal Plants

~10% of plants

Mainly conifers, oaks, and hardwood trees. The ecto fungi form a protective mantle around the root surface rather than penetrating root cells. Use products containing ectomycorrhizal spores such as MycoApply Ecto or MycoApply Endo/Ecto blends for mixed plantings.

Alder (Endo/Ecto)ArborvitaeArctostaphylosAspen (Endo/Ecto)BasswoodBeechBirchChestnutChinquapinCottonwood (Endo/Ecto)Douglas FirEucalyptusFilbertFirHazelnutHickoryHemlockLarchLindenMadroneManzanitaOakPecanPinePoplarSpruceWillow (Endo/Ecto)

Non-Mycorrhizal Plants

~5% of plants

A small number of plant families do not form relationships with mycorrhizal fungi and will not respond to inoculant application. Applying mycorrhizae to these plants is not harmful, but it won't produce results.

Brassica Family

Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Collards
Kale
Rutabaga

Ericaceae Family

Azalea
Blueberry
Cranberry
Heath
Huckleberry
Lingonberries
Rhododendron

Others

Beet
Carnation
Mustard
Orchids
Protea
Rush
Sedge
Spinach

Not sure which product to use? If your operation grows a mix of plants, a combined endo/ecto product like MycoApply EndoEcto or Big Foot Granular covers both types. Over 95% of the world's plant species form with mycorrhizae - for most growers, it's a matter of which type, not whether to inoculate. Contact us and we'll help you choose the right product for your operation.