Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum production for commercial use

Abstract

Introduction of arbuscular mycorrhiza-(Am) to soils in which they are lacking, present in low numbers or to soils having inefficient species is limited due to the non-availability of a commercially viable proper inoculum. In this paper we report a simple and low cost method of Am inoculum production using an organic medium that can be used in commercial scale inoculum production using Puerariaphaseoloides as the host plant. Preinoculated (with Acaulospora spinosa) Pueraria seedlings were grown in large wooden boxes filled with a mixture of fine coir dust and finely ground rice husk (1:1) as the medium. These were grown for 3-4 months to multiply the Am fungus in the media before it was tested as a suitable inoculum.