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Mycorrhiza in floriculture: difficulties and opportunities

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Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish symbiotic relationships with the roots of about 80% of plant species. The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis benefits the growth and development of plants, among them a variety of ornamental horticulture (floriculture) plants. AMF have been shown to benefit plants that suffer from stunted growth, including that stemming from abiotic stress. Many floriculture crops are grown in the semi-arid environment of the Mediterranean region, and therefore AMF application may be implemented in floriculture practices to significantly promote crop growth and yield. However, for successful commercial utilization of the AM symbiosis and its introduction into ornamental floriculture practices, several considerations must be taken into account. These are highlighted and examined in the present review. They include the prerequisite of availability of high quantities of good-quality AMF inocula, the need to use different types and dosages of AMF inocula, at different times of inoculation, and the agricultural crop growth practices that are best-suited for integration with AMF inoculation. The difficulties and opportunities in AMF usage in floriculture are discussed and suggestions on different ways to solve the encountered difficulties are made, to promote cost-effective use of AMF in floriculture.

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  1. Department of Ornamental Horticulture, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel, 50250

    Hinanit Koltai

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  1. Hinanit Koltai
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Correspondence to Hinanit Koltai.

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This paper is part of the special issue ‘The Potential of Exploiting Mycorrhizal Associations in Semi-Arid Regions’

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Koltai, H. Mycorrhiza in floriculture: difficulties and opportunities. Symbiosis 52, 55–63 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-010-0090-2

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