Mycorrhizal inoculation of pine nurseries by spraying basidiospores onto soil prior to sowing

Summary

A newly established commercial nursery of Pinus radiata was successfully inoculated with the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon luteolus by spraying a suspension of basidiospores onto the soil prior to sowing. The inoculation increased mycorrhizal infection and probably seedling height growth in non-fumigated soil. The technique may have wider application.