Iran-produced Mycorrhizal Fungus to Solve Problem of Twisting Growth in Plants Roots

Rahmat Salehi, who was taking part at the Asreh Omid Event held by the Islamic Azad University, explained to ANA's reporter in an interview how "tall bottoms up vases enriched with mycorrhizal fungus" solves the peoblem of twisting of tree and plants roots, desribing it a big problem in the country.

"Unfortunately, twisting growth in plants and trees roots is a big problem in the country, and I decided to solve this problem after realizing it," Salehi said.

"when a seedling or saple is placed inside this vase, because it is netted and due to its height, the root does not twist, and because of this the seedling fully grows in a straight way and dwarfing and breaking of seedlings do not occur."

The reseacrher said that he developed the idea into the product at the Islamic Azad University, Ilam branch, adding that this product can solve the problem of root twisting in the country, and considering the problem of particles which originate in neighboring countries, seedlings should qucikly grow.

He was referring to the dust storms in Iran that have origins in the dust particles in neighbouring countries.

"To strengthen the roots of trees and plants, we need to enrich the soil with mycorrhizal fungus and this does not cost much at all,"Salehi explained more.

He emphasized that soil enriched with mycorrhizal fungus is available everywhere and easy to use, and the problem of Iran and many neighboring countries that are struggling with desertification can be solved this way.

In response to the question if he had investors for the production and development of his idea, he explained, "We do not have investors. Of course this project does not require a huge investment, so, it is possible to produce it with little amount of money and making changesin shaped of vases available."

Salehi said about Asreh Omid exhibition that the event can create a space for talented people, students and researchers who have ideas to present to help the country solve its problems.

According to studies appeared on scientefic websites, mycorrhiza, which means “fungus-root,” is defined as a beneficial, or symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of its host plant. This relationship is a natural infection of a plant’s root system in which the plant supplies the fungus with sugars and carbon and receives water and/or nutrients in return.

Endomycorrhizal fungi benefit not only a large number of desert plants, but a majority of the plants in the world.

The main benefit mycorrhizal fungi provide is access to large amount of water and nutrients (particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, manganese and copper).

The national Asreh Omid Event was held in late May in Tehran’s Grand Mosalla with the participation of 3,000 knowledge-based companies, laboratories, research teams and startups.

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