There is an experiment done determining whether adding mycorrhizal fungi to the field soils will increase yield and reduce soil-borne diseases in corn. The rationale behind this is that these beneficial fungi will antagonize pathogens (organisms that cause disease) and increase nutrient acquisition for the plant.

1. Design a small study to test the hypothesis.

Include the following in your design:

-Treatments (including controls)

-Experimental design(s)

-Number of replicates

-Dependent variable(s) and how they would be collected

Hypothesis: The mycorrhizal fungi in plants induces the plant to release chemical compounds that is beneficial for those soil microbes that is pathogenic for root pathogens