Effect of source and inoculum load of ectomycorrhizae on the growth and biomass of containerized kail pine (Pinus wallichiana) seedlings Dar Gh. Hassan, Beig Muzaffar A., Ganai Nadeem A., Qazi Nissar A. Division of Plant Pathology, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, 191 121. E-mail: h_forest@rediffmail.com, ghasandar@gmail.com Abstract Studies on the influence of inoculum source on containerized Kail pine (Pinus wallichiana) revealed 20.6 to 72.9 and 31.8 to 70.1% enhancement in plant growth and biomass, respectively, by mycorrhizal inoculation over uninoculated control in 390 days growth period. Vegetative inocula proved more effective than root or soil inocula. Amongst the vegetative inocula tested, Pisolithus tinctorius showed highest improvement in plant growth and biomass with better root colonization and nutrient uptake followed by Laccaria laccata and Hebeloma crustuliniforme. The root colonization by vegetative inocula varied from 46 to 56% as compared to 41 and 35% colonization noticed in case of root or soil inocula, respectively. All the inoculant sources significantly improved acid phosphatase activity in rhizosphere and pine roots with vegetative inocula being more effective than soil or root inocula. Striking variations between various sources of inocula also appeared in plant nutrient uptake and soil N and P contents. The maximum phosphorus content in pine root and soil was observed in P. tinctorius followed by L. laccata treatment. In another experiment, varying levels of either spore or mycelial mass-based inoculum loads exhibited positive influence on Kail pine growth and dry biomass with Pisolithus tinctorius and Rhizopogan vulgaris being the most effective. The mycorrhizal colonization was higher in P. tinctorius and lower in Suillus granulatus. The plants inoculated with mycorrhizal spore concentration of 107 or 108/seedling were statistically at par. The vegetative inoculum, prepared in vermiculite-peat based substrate, when inoculated in soil in 1:10 ratio gave highest shoot height, root length and plant biomass. Both forms of mycorrhizal treatments viz., spore suspension or mycelial inoculum, were at par and exhibited similar effects. The use of inoculum load of 107–108 in spore form or 1:10 carrier-based inoculum: soil is feasible to achieve better regeneration of pine. Top Key words Ectomycorrhizae, growth, inoculum load, inoculum source, pine, plant biomass. Top |