this is just google but might be a fun read this weekend "Yes, multiple studies have measured the high level of fungal interaction—both beneficial and pathogenic—within tomato seedling roots, with studies showing that inoculated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can achieve over 20% root colonization, while others show that pathogenic fungi like Fusarium can colonize lateral roots rapidly within 4 to 7 days of transplanting. National Institutes of Health (.gov) +1 Key Findings on Tomato Root Fungal Interaction: - Mycorrhizal Colonization Levels: Studies show that while natural colonization may be low, inoculating tomato seedlings with AMF can lead to over 20% colonization. - Pathogen Interaction Rates: Specific studies using Micro-Tom seedlings found that nearly 2 out of 7 lateral roots were colonized by Fusarium species (pathogenic/nonpathogenic) 4-7 days after transplanting. - Beneficial Fungal Interactions: Inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum and AMF together significantly enhances root development, reducing pathogen infection. - Functional Impact: These studies demonstrated that fungal interaction with roots affects seedling health, increasing early yield and impacting root development, with some endophytes inhibiting pathogenic activity by up to 90%.