Studies on mycorrhiza in Pinus gerardiana Wall. ex D. Don, a threatened pine of the NW Himalaya

Abstract

Chilgoza pine, Pinus gerardiana, inhabits cold desert areas of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. It is a multiutility tree with much value attached to the seeds, which are edible and a commercial crop, therefore due to the over-exploitation, the pine is facing great threat and proceeding towards extinction. Various methods have been tried to restore the regeneration status but most of these have been of no avail. This paper reports the studies carried out on the use of mycorrhizal biotechnology in the regeneration and establishment of the seedlings. The mycobionts were isolated from the roots, cultured and multiplied, and then the seedlings were inoculated artificially. There was considerable increase in the performance of seedlings, and all the growth parameters were significantly improved. The transplanting period was also greatly reduced, economizing on time, money and energy.