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Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: the status quo in Japan and the future prospects

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Abstract

Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has potential benefits in not only sustainable crop production but also environmental conservation. However, the difficulty of inoculum production due to the obligate biotrophic nature of AM fungi has been the biggest obstacle to putting inoculation into practice. Nevertheless, several companies have sought to produce inoculum of AM fungi. Firstly in this review, the present status of inoculum production and its use in Japan is described. Secondly, although the effectiveness of inoculation is primarily limited by environmental and biological factors, some possible ways to improve inoculation performance are discussed. Approaches include use of chemicals to increase spore germination and colonization and soil application of charcoal to provide a microhabitat for AM fungi to colonize and survive.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Grassland Ecology, National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Nishi-nasuno, Tochigi, 329-2793, Japan

    Masanori Saito

  2. Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan

    Takuya Marumoto

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  1. Masanori Saito
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  2. Takuya Marumoto
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Correspondence to Masanori Saito.

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Saito, M., Marumoto, T. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: the status quo in Japan and the future prospects. Plant and Soil 244, 273–279 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020287900415

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