Comparing a simple arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculum with commercial products for enhancing plant growth
2017
Tanel Vahter | Märt Nõges
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate symbionts forming mutualistic relationships with most land-plants. In AM symbiosis, the plant supplies the fungal partner with products of photosynthesis and in return recieves various mineral nutrients from the soil. Because of complex interactions with both soil and plants, disturbance can dramatically decrease AMF activity in soils and in these circumstances, it could be useful to restore AMF communities using inoculations. The use of AMF inoculants has so far been minimal due to the high cost and low availability of these products. In this study, the production of simple crude inocula was tested in trap cultures and the most suitable growth substrate nutrient content determined. The effectiveness of the produced inocula was compared with two commercially available inoculants. The results of this study indicate that the best substrate for inocula production in pot-cultures is pure sand with 5% natural soil. When using roots of plants grown in this manner as inoculants, the largest biomass and root-colonisation was achieved. As one of the commercial inoculants did not contain any mycorrhizal propagules at all, the need for quality control and establishment of industry standards is paramount. This study highlights the basics of using AM inoculations in home gardens and small-scale agriculture. The inoculation of large areas is still problematic because of low-yielding inoculant production, but could become highly perspective as methodology improves.
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