Product Declaration Mycorrhiza Inoculum
according to the voluntary agreement of the committee
"Application of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi in horticulture" of 02.12.1997

Purpose of the product

The product called „Mycorrhiza inoculum“ is a soil substrate containing fungal propagules which enter into a symbiosis between cultivated plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

Characterization of content
(AMF species, strain and  charge)

The inoculum production charge: IFP xx (Institut für Pflanzenkultur) contains arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Glomus spp.

Possible pathogenity of the substrate

In addition to the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, the inoculum contains other naturally occurring fungi and bacteria of the rhizosphere, some of which are necessary for the germination of the mycorrhizal fungi. In different bioassays (germination test, pathogenity test) no negative effects on test plants were observed.

Effectiveness of the inoculum in a standard test

A mycorrhization of the test plant Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Saxa of at least 48 % of the roots and a mycorrhiza efficiency index according to Bagyaraj (1994) of 25 (2 repetitions, n=15) were found after 21 days of culture under standard conditions (15°C/21°C; 6 ppm P in soil solution, pH 5,3; light 500 µmol x m-2 x s-1 for 12 h/d; 500 ml pot volume; inoculation after homogenous mixture of inoculum and substrate) when the inoculum had been diluted 1:10 with a peat substrate.

Maximum dilution of the inoculum containing soil

The inoculum should be diluted to at least 1:10 and to a maximum of 1:50 to assure  effectiveness. Less dilution can lead to decreased growth of poorly fertilized plants. A higher dilution delays the incubation period required for effects of mycorrhization to become visible.

Storage and expiration of the inoculum

Whereas the inoculum retains its full potential for colonization after one year of storage, older inoculum remains viable for up to five years. Since the potential for colonization of older inoculum may be reduced, the dilutation should also be reduced. Open packages should not be stored . Storage should be under cool and dry conditions.

Contact

Institute for Plant Culture, Dr. Carolin Grotkass, Solkau 2, 29465 Schnega, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 5842-472, Fax: +49 (0) 5842-493, [email protected], http://www.mykorrhiza.de

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