Volumes 23 and 24 of this highly acclaimed series focus on methods used for the study of both ectomycorrhiza and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza. Written by a team of international experts, these volumes comprise the most extensive compilation of methods available on this topic.

Mycorrhizas are highly evoloved mutualistic associations between the soil fungi and plant roots. The partners in the association are members of the fungus kingdom and most vascular plants. This manual explains procedures used by scientists who work with mycorrhizal fungi and roots in the laboratory, nursery, or natural and managed ecosystems. Many of the techniques use readily obtainable and relatively inexpensive equipment and chemicals.

This book presents a wide range of biotechnological methods for application in soil microbiology analysis, including all essential methods involving molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, and structural biology, such as transcriptome analysis, RNAi technology, molecular matchmaking, RAPD, T-RFLP and FT/MS. The techniques and procedures presented here offer practical guides for immediate use in the laboratory. This volume will be of use both to the first-timer and to the experienced scientist.

This unique compilation fulfils a great demand for a laboratory manual on mycorrhizal research describing the basic techniques, and contains chapters by eminent Indian mycorrhizologists. Chapters cover mycorrhizal dependency, mycorrhiza as biocontrol agents in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, and the establishment of micropropagated plants.

Taxonomy of the fungi forming endomycorrhizae; Morphology and histology of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae; Methods for the recovery and quantitative estimation of propagules from soil; Quantification of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in plant roots; Production of endomycorrhizal inoculum; Procedures for inoculation of plants with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in the laboratory, greenhouse and field; Evaluationof plant response to colonization by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Spore germination and axenic culture of endomycorrhizae; Taxonomy of ecto- and ectendomycorrhizal fungi; Morphology and development of ecto- and ectendomycorrhizae; Isolation, maintenance, and pure culture manipulation of ectomycorrhizal fungi; Production of ectomycorrhizal fungus inoculum; Ectomycorrhizal inoculation procedures for greenhouse and nursery studies; Quantitative measurement of ectomycorrhizae on plant roots; Evaluation of plant response to inoculation; Radiotracer methods for mycorrhizal research; Electron mycroscopy of mycorrhizae; Mycorrhizae in interactions with other microorganisms.

“A Way to Garden prods us toward that ineffable place where we feel we belong; it’s a guide to living both in and out of the garden.” —The New York Times Book Review For Margaret Roach, gardening is more than a hobby, it’s a calling. Her unique approach, which she calls “horticultural how-to and woo-woo,” is a blend of vital information you need to memorize and intuitive steps you must simply feel and surrender to. In A Way to Garden, Roach imparts decades of garden wisdom on seasonal gardening, ornamental plants, vegetable gardening, design, gardening for wildlife, organic practices, and much more. She also challenges gardeners to think beyond their garden borders and to consider the ways gardening can enrich the world. Brimming with beautiful photographs of Roach’s own garden, A Way to Garden is practical, inspiring, and a must-have for every passionate gardener.

Mycorrhiza - symbiotic associations between plant roots and fungi - play a major role in many fundamental plant functions such as mineral nutrition or stress resistance. As the link between plants and the soil, mycorrhiza are now of great interest for developing new strategies in sustainable agriculture. Since they allow a decreased use of fertilizer and pesticides, negative impacts on the environment can be minimized. With contributions from renowned international scientists, this manual offers a great variety of practical protocols for analyzing mycorrhiza, including the latest molecular, biochemical, genetical, and physiological techniques.

Mycorrhizal research has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few decades. These fungi promise to promote plant growth, maintain plant and soil health, assist in bio-protection against root diseases, encourage production with reduced fertilizer and pesticides, allow for nutrient acquisition, affect soil skeletal structure holding primary soil particles together, are conductive to the formation of microaggregate structures and higher rhizosphere populations, enable symbiosis that alters host water relations, as well as alter root length and architecture. These fungi also help with the re-vegetation of landscapes, golf courses or contaminated soils. They assist with the biological hardening of tissue culture raised plants, postpone leaf dehydration, draught responses, osmo-protecting enzymes and enhance P acquisition. AM symbiosis could conceivably affect any of these steps. AMF should be considered as an alternative to costly soil disinfection. The mechanisms by which fungi induce resistance in their hosts and enhance disease resistance need critical evaluation and examination. Editors see this volume as a tremendously valuable collection of specialized up-date chapters describing the most sophisticated and modern protocols in mycorrhizal research, thoroughly explained and synthesized.

This is the first book describing in vitro cultivation of root organs. The text describes various biological aspects such as the physiology, biochemistry, biodiversity, and life cycles of fungi, as well as the effects of symbiosis on plant growth and development, including large-scale fungus production for biotechnological use. Detailed protocols allow the immediate application of the method to culture mycorrhizal fungi in vitro.

Volumes 23 and 24 of this highly acclaimed series focus on methods used for the study of both ectomycorrhiza and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza. Written by a team of international experts, these volumes comprise the most extensive compilation of methods available on this topic.