Part F Root Growth Studies Aspects of Mycorrhizal Inoculation in Relation to Reforestation

The use and manipulation of the mycorrhizal symbiosis has enormous potential benefits in tree nurseries and in artificial regeneration programmes. This paper discusses the role of a mycorrhizal inoculation programme in reforestation. Included in this discussion are type of inoculation and response of the host to inoculation. The direct impact of a mycorrhizal inoculation programme will depend upon the symbionts selected and, of course, site characteristics. Inoculation generally improves survival and growth following outplanting. However, this advantage may be a function of the larger seedling size resulting from inoculation rather than from transplanting fungal inoculum to the forested site. This paper also points out current problems and future directions of any inoculation programme.