Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture
A professional diploma on managing farms, nurseries and orchards to make the most of mycorrhizal fungi and inoculants.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Diploma
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 6 months (24 weeks) · 192 hours in total · 8 modules of 24 hours · 24 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 25 June 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 12 April 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This diploma prepares professionals to manage farms, nurseries, orchards and vineyards in ways that make the most of mycorrhizal fungi. It begins with the biology of the symbiosis and the main mycorrhizal types and host crops, then moves to soil management, rotations, cover crops and reduced tillage as tools for supporting fungal function. Further modules cover inoculant production and quality control, and the particular needs of perennial systems such as nurseries, orchards and vineyards.
As fertiliser prices fluctuate and buyers ask for lower-input production, growers need advisers who can combine mycorrhizal science with commercial reality. The diploma suits agronomists, farm managers and nursery professionals who already know crop production and want a structured specialisation. Students learn to assess colonisation, run fair field trials and interpret the results. In the final module, they bring this together in a farm mycorrhizal management plan. For the final project, each student prepares a complete plan for a real farm or nursery, combining soil, rotation, inoculation and monitoring measures with a trial design to test the key assumptions.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as arable and horticultural farming, nurseries, orchards and vineyards, bio-input industry, agronomy and advisory services.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
A professional diploma on managing farms, nurseries and orchards to make the most of mycorrhizal fungi and inoculants.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Mycorrhizal Biology and Symbiosis; Mycorrhizal Types and Host Crops; Soil Management for Mycorrhizal Function.
- Put them into practice: Rotations, Cover Crops and Reduced Tillage; Inoculant Production and Quality Control; Mycorrhizae in Nurseries, Orchards and Vineyards.
- Apply everything to a real case: Assessing Colonisation and Field Trials; Farm Mycorrhizal Management Plan.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain mycorrhizal biology and host dependence across major crops.
- Adapt fertiliser, tillage and rotation practices to support mycorrhizal function.
- Evaluate inoculant products using quality and viability criteria.
- Run replicated field trials and score root colonisation.
- Prepare a farm-level mycorrhizal management plan with monitoring.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Agronomists, farm managers and nursery professionals.
4.2Entry requirements
Some basic knowledge of crop production or soil management is expected; an introductory course in mycorrhizae or soil biology is helpful but not mandatory.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Agronomist specialising in mycorrhizal management
- Nursery production manager
- Orchard or vineyard technical manager
- Technical adviser at an inoculant company
- Farm manager in a lower-input production system
- Field trials coordinator for biological products
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Mycorrhizal Biology and Symbiosis | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 02 | Mycorrhizal Types and Host Crops | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 03 | Soil Management for Mycorrhizal Function | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 04 | Rotations, Cover Crops and Reduced Tillage | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 05 | Inoculant Production and Quality Control | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 06 | Mycorrhizae in Nurseries, Orchards and Vineyards | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 07 | Assessing Colonisation and Field Trials | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| 08 | Farm Mycorrhizal Management Plan | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| Total | 192 |
8 modules × 24 hours = 192 hours: 48 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Evolution and function of the symbiosis
- Nutrient and carbon exchange
- Regulation of colonisation
- Arbuscular, ecto and ericoid types
- Host dependence of major crops
- Non-host crops in rotations
- Phosphorus management and mycorrhizae
- Soil structure, pH and organic matter
- Pesticide effects on fungi
- Designing mycorrhiza-friendly rotations
- Cover crop selection and management
- Reduced tillage systems
- Inoculant production systems
- Viability and infectivity testing
- Choosing and storing products
- Mycorrhizae in container nurseries
- Orchard establishment and soil management
- Vineyard floors and mycorrhizae
- Root sampling and colonisation scoring
- Trial design and replication
- Analysing and presenting results
- Farm diagnosis and goal setting
- Selecting management measures
- Monitoring and review schedule
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A complete mycorrhizal management plan for a real farm or nursery, including a trial to test key assumptions.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 8 hours a week for 24 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical exercises in each module including a trial analysis, and a final farm plan reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Ecology school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Diploma Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
- A short CV or a description of your experience in the field.
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £1,120
- Full payment before the start: £896 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£448) and 6 monthly instalments of £112.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture?
Some basic knowledge of crop production or soil management is expected; an introductory course in mycorrhizae or soil biology is helpful but not mandatory.
How is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture taught?
Live online, in 8 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical exercises in each module including a trial analysis, and a final farm plan reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A complete mycorrhizal management plan for a real farm or nursery, including a trial to test key assumptions.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture?
The natural next step is Master in Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).