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Polymer-based Preparation of Soil Inoculants: Applications to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

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Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is an important group of soil microorganisms which form beneficial symbiotic associations with roots with a wide range of plants thus improving plant growth, nutrition and health. This paper reviews the current status of preparation and formulation of mycorrhizal inoculum applying polymer materials with determined characteristics. The most widely used methods are based on the entrapment of fungal materials in natural polysaccharide gels. The potential of such inoculant preparations is illustrated by various studies which include immobilization of mycorrhized root pieces, vesicles and spores, in some cases co-entrapped with other plant beneficial microorganisms. Suggestions for further research in this field are also discussed.

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, c/Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain

    N. Vassilev

  2. Department of Public Technology, Malardalen University, Vasteras, Sweden

    I. Nikolaeva

  3. Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, Estacion Experimental del Zaidin, Prof. Albareda, 1, Granada, 18008, Spain

    M. Vassileva

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Vassilev, N., Nikolaeva, I. & Vassileva, M. Polymer-based Preparation of Soil Inoculants: Applications to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 4, 235–243 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-005-2098-2

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