Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on micropropagated Tetraclinis articulata growth and survival

Micropropagated Tetraclinis articulata plants were inoculated at acclimatization stage with two types of inoculum of Glomus fasciculatum. Substrate consisted of a sterilized mixture of soil, sand and peat. No major differences were observed between the two types of inoculum to the extent of plant root colonization as it affects plant survival. In both cases, mycorrhizal colonization was not very high (37%) but did produce stimulation of plant growth. The arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation was also associated with an improvement in the survival of plants during the weaning stage. Thus, it is appropriate to introduce inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi into the micropropagation protocol of T articulata. It may not only result in better growth during weaning but also perhaps in better adaptation to field xeric conditions.