INOQ mycorrhiza FAQs
In collaboration with the Institut für Pflanzenkultur (Institute for Plant Culture), the INOQ experts have gathered the most frequently asked questions on the subject of mycorrhiza. Here we explain, among other things, how to use mycorrhiza correctly and give helpful tips. If you have any further questions, please use our contact form. Our mycorrhizal products can be purchased in our eBay online shop.
FAQs General
No, on the contrary. Soil with high nutrient content can hinder the development of mycorrhiza.
Mycorrhiza clearly improves soil quality as it replenishes the soil fauna. At the same time, you should pay attention all aspects of soil quality (avoiding compaction, paying attention to crop rotation, covering the soil, avoiding erosion, etc.). The plant becomes more well-connected to the soil thanks to the mycelium. The plant’s uptake of nutrients and moisture are improved, as well as the consistency of the soil. On sloped land, the stability of the soil will also be improved; plants can tolerate an incline 5° greater if the vegetation is well mycorrhised.
In plant tubs and balcony boxes: yes
Vegetable gardens and farmland: yes, due to tilling
Healthy garden: an annual application is recommended but may not necessarily be essential, depending on the conditions in winter.
The plants become more tolerant to disease and pests. You can think of the mechanism as similar to a vaccine: when a plant comes into contact with the mycorrhizal fungus, the defence mechanisms of the plant are driven into action. This process has a positive effect on the plant’s vitality. Additionally, potential entry points for harmful organisms in the roots of the plant are already occupied by the mycorrhiza fungus. However, mycorrhiza cannot be considered a protective substance for plants, and does not foster resistance to disease or pests in the plant.
The production of mycorrhizal fungi must be undertaken with great care. We produce our products in Germany, and pay attention to the natural living conditions of the fungi when manufacturing, in order to provide customers with vital fungi. Our comprehensive quality control guarantees a valuable product for your application.
Scientific testing processes are used to ensure effectiveness and to guarantee the special qualities of the product. We developed this quality control process with other manufacturers of inocula in Germany and Europe. It is carried out according to the guidelines of the voluntary agreement of the interest group “Applications of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi in horticultural practice” from 02/12/1997.
A test is carried out to determine the quantity of mycorrhiza fungi in an inoculum (MPN test), the effectiveness is tested, and a macro array analysis is conducted, in order to eliminate phytopathogens.
The criteria for quality and the product safety measures are published in data sheets. These are available for download as a PDF at our website Mycorrhiza Products (Product declaration).
All products have a shelf life of 2 years when stored in a dry and dark place between 4 and 15 ° C
In private gardens, no fungicides, pesticides or other chemical plant protection substances should be used.
For professional applications, we give the following advice:
Pesticides consist of extremely varied chemical agents, which can have negative, neutral, or positive effects on the development of mycorrhizal fungi. If you introduce mycorrhiza products, it is still possible to apply fungicides to combat pathogenic fungi. Harmful fungi differ from symbiotic fungi, and therefore do not experience the same effect from fungicides. Additionally, the majority of fungicides are applied to leaves, and therefore do not come into contact with the mycorrhizal fungi, meaning that they have no effect on the mycorrhiza symbiosis.
So choosing the correct fungicide allows you to apply both products simultaneously, without limiting the function of the mycorrhiza fungi.
We have investigated the effects that different pesticides have on the development of endo- and ectomycorrhizal fungi. If you would like more information on this topic, please feel free to contact us.
You can read about the effects of pesticides on endomycorrhizae in the following publications:
F. FELDMANN, A. DOLEZAL, G. F. BACKHAUS
Nebenwirkungen von Pflanzenschutzmitteln auf arbuskuläre Mykorrhizapilze als Nichtzielorganismen. Institut für Pflanzenschutz im Gartenbau, Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Messeweg 11/12, D-38126 Braunschweig.
In private gardens, no fungicides, pesticides or other chemical plant protection substances should be used.
For professional applications, we give the following advice:
Pesticides consist of extremely varied chemical agents, which can have negative, neutral, or positive effects on the development of mycorrhizal fungi. If you introduce mycorrhiza products, it is still possible to apply fungicides to combat pathogenic fungi. Harmful fungi differ from symbiotic fungi, and therefore do not experience the same effect from fungicides. Additionally, the majority of fungicides are applied to leaves, and therefore do not come into contact with the mycorrhizal fungi, meaning that they have no effect on the mycorrhiza symbiosis.
So choosing the correct fungicide allows you to apply both products simultaneously, without limiting the function of the mycorrhiza fungi.
We have investigated the effects that different pesticides have on the development of endo- and ectomycorrhizal fungi. If you would like more information on this topic, please feel free to contact us.
You can read about the effects of pesticides on endomycorrhizae in the following publications:
F. FELDMANN, A. DOLEZAL, G. F. BACKHAUS
Nebenwirkungen von Pflanzenschutzmitteln auf arbuskuläre Mykorrhizapilze als Nichtzielorganismen. Institut für Pflanzenschutz im Gartenbau, Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Messeweg 11/12, D-38126 Braunschweig.
In the download area under
, you can find a list of the most popular tree species and which type of mycorrhiza should be used with them.
Mycorrhiza is only present in healthy soil. With new soil applications or purchased substrates such as compost, there is no longer any mycorrhiza present. The soil structure is disturbed and therefore an application of mycorrhiza is recommended.
FAQs Application
Mycorrhizal fungi make nutrients more accessible to the plants, primarily phosphate and nitrogen. You can continue to fertilise your plants, but in any case, a reduced amount of fertiliser is advisable. The reduction relieves the strain on the environment and on the wallet, and is also supervised by the authorities in agriculture.
| Application Dosage | Quantity |
| Spreading into planting hole | 10 – 20 ml / plant (up to 12 cm pot) up to 100 ml / plant (up to 10 l pot) 20 ml / plant (up to 15 cm ø root ball) up to 100 ml / plant (up to 40 cm ø root ball) |
| Existing plant formations | up to 100 ml / plant in drilling holes per 10 cm stem-ø 3 x 100 ml |
| Blending into substrat | 1 bis 5 % (seedling production) 5 bis 10 % (plant production) |
| Blending with seeds | 10 – 20 ml / 1000 grain |
| Blending with fertilizer | 12 – 15 L / t |
| Blending with sowing at new grounds | up to 100 ml /m² |
| surface treatment | up to 100 ml / m² – 1.000 L/ha |
| transplanting | up to 100 ml / m furrow |
For optimal development of the symbiosis please apply INOQ mycorrhiza products directly to the roots of the plants, either by spreading into the planting hole or distributing in the substrate/compost or soil surface.
These application dosages are available . for download here.
Does not apply to INOQ Advantage products.
Ideally, the product should be applied to the fine roots, e.g. through bore holes or tillage. Simply distributing the product onto the area is sufficient for new lawn sowing, hydro seeding, and plant nurseries, as other options are often not practicable. In vegetable gardens the product should be at least be distributed underneath the surface of the soil.
In rare cases, an overdose at the beginning of the plant development can stunt growth, as the mycorrhiza take too much carbohydrate from the soil. However, this can be reconciled during the course of cultivation.
| Product | Mycorrhiza | Carrier material |
| NEWINOQ Advantage | Endomycorrhiza | Without (small shares of Vermiculite ≤ 0,5mm) |
| INOQ Agri | Endomycorrhiza | Vermiculite 1-2 mm |
| INOQ Forst | Endo- and ektomycorrhiza | Peat substrate |
| INOQ Hobby | Endomycorrhiza | Peat substrate |
| INOQ Rhodazo | Ericoide mycorrhiza | Peat substrate |
| INOQ Spezial | Endomycorrhiza | Peat substrate |
| INOQ Sprint | Endomycorrhiza | Sand 1-2 mm |
| INOQ Top | Endomycorrhiza | Expanded clay 0,5-2,5 mm |
Our mycorrhiza products are available in different substrate materials and in different granulations, to serve the needs of different areas of application (vermiculite, lava, expanded clay, peat, sand). It is always important that the fungi are applied to the roots of the plant, therefore INOQ products are to be mixed in underneath the plant substrate, or applied directly to the hole for the plant. Some products can also be mixed with water and applied to moisten bare-root plants.
| Field of application | Application (examples) |
| Gardens and landscaping | In the hole for the plant |
| Bedding and balcony plants | |
| Indoor gardens | |
| Crop production | Application of mycorrhizal substrates |
| Recultivation | |
| Embankment areas | |
| Roof gardens | |
| High-altitude areas | Mix in beneath seeds for hydro seeding |
| Golf courses | During aeration |
| Tree planting and maintenance | Application of mycorrhizal substrates |
| In the hole for the plant |
The amounts to be used depend on the size of the plant and the root ball. We are happy to give you support, ask us for a consultation!
| INOQ Advantage | For agriculture and horticulture, for seed coating |
| INOQ Agri | Recultivation, blending with seeds, blending with fertiliser |
| INOQ Forst | ree propagation, planting and restoration |
| INOQ Rhodazo | For agriculture and horticulture, for seed coating |
| INOQ Spezial / INOQ Hobby | Gardening, Landscaping, Plant Production, Recultivation |
| INOQ Sprint | Golf course and sports field construction |
| INOQ Top | Gardening, landscaping, recultivation and roof greening |
For futher information please see the site:Mykorrhiza Products.
Download the poster on the right as PDF.PDF download.
The most important mycorrhizal fungus groups and their partner plants.
| Endomycorrhiza
Herbaceous plants |
 Endomycorrhizae (a.k.a. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) penetrate the roots of herbaceous plants and many broadleaved trees and build structures there that are necessary for symbiosis. Endomycorrhizae are microscopically small and cannot be seen with the naked eye. |
| Ectomykorrhiza
Many types of trees, |
 Ectomycorrhizae are present in many types of trees, particularly in conifers. The fungi form a latticework of hyphae around the tree roots. Ectomycorrhizal fungi form fruit bodies in autumn: the mushrooms we eat, which imperceptibly provide nutrients to trees from under the ground. |
| Ericoide mycorrhiza
The plant family Ericaceae |
 This mycorrhiza is only present in members of the plant family Ericaceae. Rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries, Calluna and Erica are the partners for this fungus. |
| Special mycorrhiza | Orchids |
| No mycorrhiza | Plants in the goosefoot family (e.g. turnips, spinach), Plants in the cabbage family (brassicaceae), Plants in the Cyperaceae family. |
