Mycorrhizae and Seed Bomb Protocol

Purpose

Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic networks that multiply plant nutrient and water uptake. Combined with seed bombs, they accelerate bare-ground recovery from years to months.

Content

Purpose

Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic networks that multiply plant nutrient and water uptake. Combined with seed bombs, they accelerate bare-ground recovery from years to months.

When to Use

• When recovering bare or degraded soil
• After swale construction for immediate berm seeding
• When establishing food forest guilds
• When bridging gaps between established plant communities

Best First Action

Inoculate biochar with mycorrhizal spores at 1:100 ratio before field application. Prepare seed bombs at least 24 hours ahead to allow clay binding.

Best Practices

• Use Rhizophagus irregularis as primary inoculant — generalist, pairs with 80% of plants.
• Add Trichoderma spp. for disease suppression in succession zone 2.
• Seed bomb recipe: 40% crimson clover, 20% daikon radish, 15% buckwheat, 15% phacelia, 10% R. irregularis bound in clay.
• Map mycorrhizal coverage every 20m grid with soil cores.
• Pre-charge biochar with compost tea before myco inoculation.

Common Mistakes

• Applying raw (uninoculated) biochar — it will steal nitrogen for 6 months.
• Using mycorrhizae in sterile potting mixes where native fungi are absent.
• Seed bombing before rain — seeds need moisture within 48 hours of application.

Next Steps

• Open Land to map mycorrhizal coverage zones.
• Open Tasks for soil sampling missions.
• Ask Bonsai for site-specific species recommendations.