Ectomycorrhiza-hydrogel additive enhanced growth of Norway spruce seedlings in a nutrient-poor peat substrate

Seedling quality is an important input affecting the outplanted seedling performance. Morphological attributes and association with symbiotic ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi belong to influential traits determining quality. In this study, effect of pre-sowing applied commercial additives Ectovit (containing hydrogel ECM fungi), Mycorrhizaroots (ECM nutrients) Vetozen (natural mineral fertilizer) on growth ectomycorrhiza formation Norway spruce seedlings grown in nutrient-poor pure peat open nursery site was assessed. Two-year-old bareroot were transplanted into containers. No significant differences detected between treatments for 1 + 0 but values parameters (root collar diameter; stem height; shoot, root total dry weight) Ectovit-inoculated significantly higher than those other including control after second (2 seedlings) third growing season 1). Root-to-shoot weight ratio number tips distinctly year compared previous two years they not different treatments. did have any development. Although occurrence treatment-specific morphotype seedlings, high colonization roots all indicated a crucial impact naturally occurring formation.