Trichoderma, the root bodyguard
- What it is
- A group of beneficial soil fungi, such as Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma harzianum, that live on and inside roots.
- What it does
- Protects roots against soil-borne diseases such as Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia, and boosts rooting and root hairs.
- How it works
- It colonises the root zone first, attacks and outcompetes disease fungi, and switches on the plant’s own defences.
Bacillus, the protective shield
- What it is
- Hardy soil bacteria, such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis.
- What it does
- Helps protect roots and leaves against fungal and bacterial diseases, and supports plant growth.
- How it works
- It forms a protective layer on the plant, produces natural antifungal compounds and triggers the plant’s defences.
Pseudomonas, the nutrient unlocker
- What it is
- Root-loving bacteria, such as Pseudomonas putida, that live in a thin film around the roots.
- What it does
- Releases phosphorus locked in the soil, makes nutrients easier to take up, and helps plants cope with salty conditions.
- How it works
- It colonises the root surface, dissolves bound phosphorus and boosts the activity of the whole root-zone community.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, fertiliser from the air
- What they are
- Bacteria such as Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Rhizobium that capture nitrogen from the air.
- What they do
- Supply part of the nitrogen the plant needs, support root growth and help plants through water stress.
- How they work
- They turn nitrogen gas into a form plants can take up. Rhizobium does this in nodules on the roots of legumes such as beans, peas and lentils.
Mycorrhizal fungi, the extra root system
- What they are
- Fungi that partner with plant roots, such as Rhizophagus irregularis.
- What they do
- Reach far into the soil to bring back water, phosphorus and micronutrients, and make plants more drought-tolerant.
- How they work
- Their fine threads act as an extra root network, and the plant feeds them sugars in return.
Insect-killing fungi
- What they are
- Natural fungi that infect insects, such as Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillium muscarium.
- What they control
- Whitefly, thrips and aphids.
- How they work
- Their spores stick to the insect, grow into it and kill it within days, while the plant is left unharmed.
