The effect of growth substrate and fertilizer on the growth and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection of three hosts

Abstract

The effect of growth substrate in combination with two compound fertilizers or bone meal on the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) infection and growth of micropropagated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) and arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus L.), as well as maize (Zea mays L.) was studied in pot experiments. With all test plants, sand fertilized with bone meal was superior to the richer peat-based substrates in initiating rapid VA mycorrhizal infection and sporulation of the VAM fungi used. A fertilizing regime yielding plants of a sufficient size, which at the same time are mycorrhizal, is suggested.