CourseEstablished

Mycorrhizal Types & Identification

The main mycorrhizal types, their partners and ecosystems, and lab methods to stain, observe and identify them in roots and soil.

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Level

Course

Modules

Duration

3 months · 72 h

Next start

January 11, 2027

Fee

$450

Format

Live online

Certificate

Course Certificate

Language

English US

School

Ecology

Program identification

1.1Program name: Mycorrhizal Types & Identification
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. A Fungaris program 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): 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
1.6Language: English
1.7Start and end dates / intake: Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →

mycorrhizal typesectomycorrhiza identificationroot staining mycorrhizaAMF spore extractionorchid mycorrhiza

Overview

2.1Program description

Most land plants form mycorrhizae, but the partnerships differ greatly in structure, fungal partners and ecosystem roles. This course gives a clear overview of the main types, then examines each in turn: arbuscular mycorrhizae formed by Glomeromycota, ectomycorrhizae with their mantles and Hartig nets, and the specialized ericoid and orchid mycorrhizae. Students learn which plants and habitats are associated with each type and why the distinction matters for nutrient cycling and ecosystem management.

As mycorrhizae attract more attention in farming, forestry and restoration, there is growing demand for people who can confirm and quantify them reliably. The course suits students, researchers and soil technicians who need hands-on laboratory competence. Practical modules teach root clearing and staining, colonization scoring, spore extraction from soil and the basics of molecular identification and sequence interpretation. In the final project, students process a set of root and soil samples, identify the mycorrhizal types present and report colonization levels with a short discussion of methods and limitations.

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 research and academia, soil and plant laboratories, bio-input industry, ecological restoration.

Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.

Objectives and competences

3.1General objective

To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:

The main mycorrhizal types, their partners and ecosystems, and lab methods to stain, observe and identify them in roots and soil.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: Overview of Mycorrhizal Types; Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Glomeromycota.
Put them into practice: Ectomycorrhizae and Their Fungal Partners; Ericoid and Orchid Mycorrhizae.
Apply everything to a real case: Root Staining and Colonization Assessment; Spore Extraction and Molecular Identification.
Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Distinguish the main mycorrhizal types by structure and partners.
Clear and stain roots for mycorrhizal observation under the microscope.
Quantify root colonization using standard intersection methods.
Extract and describe mycorrhizal spores from soil samples.
Interpret basic molecular identification results for mycorrhizal fungi.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Students, researchers and soil technicians.

4.2Entry requirements

Basic biology is helpful but not essential. Access to a compound microscope is recommended for the practical exercises.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Soil laboratory technician
Research assistant in plant-microbe studies
Quality control technician for inoculant producers
Field and lab assistant in restoration monitoring
Postgraduate student in mycorrhizal research

Sectors

research and academiasoil and plant laboratoriesbio-input industryecological restoration

Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.

Study plan

5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)

Module	Title	Phase	Topics	Hours
01	Overview of Mycorrhizal Types	Foundations	3	12
02	Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Glomeromycota	Foundations	3	12
03	Ectomycorrhizae and Their Fungal Partners	Practice	3	12
04	Ericoid and Orchid Mycorrhizae	Practice	3	12
05	Root Staining and Colonization Assessment	Application & project	3	12
06	Spore Extraction and Molecular Identification	Application & project	3	12
	Total			72

6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 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.

5.3Company placement

This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.

5.4Final project

Processing of root and soil samples to identify mycorrhizal types and report colonization levels.

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 instructor 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 6 hours a week for 12 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, laboratory exercises submitted as photos and data sheets, and a final report reviewed by the instructor.

40%Participation and module exercises

60%Final project

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 instructor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

At Fungaris, the Ecology school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.

8.2Faculty

Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.

Meet our faculty →

Certificate

9.1Certificate awarded

Course Certificate

On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization 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 enrollment

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).

10.3Deadlines

Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).

10.4Fee and payment options

Fee: $450

Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.

Fees and financing →

10.5Grants, discounts and funding

Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.

Your employer can pay for the program 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 canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment 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 Mycorrhizal Types & Identification?

Basic biology is helpful but not essential. Access to a compound microscope is recommended for the practical exercises.

How is Mycorrhizal Types & Identification taught?

Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.

How am I assessed?

Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, laboratory exercises submitted as photos and data sheets, and a final report reviewed by the instructor.

What is the final project?

Processing of root and soil samples to identify mycorrhizal types and report colonization levels.

What certificate do I get?

What can I study after Mycorrhizal Types & Identification?

The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.

11.2Alumni testimonials

We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.