Arbuscular mycorrhizae in micropropagation systems and their potential applications

Over the past few years, micropropagation techniques are being widely used as an important and advantageous tool for rapid propagation of several commercially important varieties of horticultural and forest tree species. Although, this technology has got several successful applications, low survival rates and poor growth while shifting these plantlets to field conditions are the most common problems which hinders its usage for commercial plant production practices. Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to the roots of micropropagated plantlets plays a beneficial role on their post-transplanting performance. This review discusses the multiple roles played by AMF in the establishment of micropropagated plantlets. Different techniques of mycorrhization and the constraints pertaining to the use of these techniques are also discussed. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.