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.

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.

This book compiles the most comprehensive collection of protocols currently used in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal research. This experience-based collection includes methods for isolation, cultivation, detection, and quantification of AM fungi, as well as the use of metagenomics for community studies and experimental procedures for functional genomics. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal aid for researchers seeking to perform experiments that fill the gaps in our knowledge of the basic biology, functions, and ecology of AM fungi in the hope of deploying these powerful plant fungal symbionts in agriculture more effectively.

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.

A two-volume laboratory guide to the techniques routinely involved in mycorrhizal research. The first volume describes techniques applicable to ectomycorrhizal and ericoid systems and the second details those of the vesicular-arbuscular systems.

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.

`The fundamental problem the world faces today, is the rapidly increasing pressure of population on the limited resources of the land. To meet the ever increasing demands of expanding populations, agricultural production has been raised through the abundant use of inorganic fertilizers, the adoption of multicropping systems and liberal application of chemical pesticides (fungicides, bactericides, etc. ). Though the use of chemicals has increased the yield dramatically, it has also resulted in the rapid deterioration of land and water resources apart from wastage of scarce resources. This has adversely affected the biological balance and lead to the presence of toxic residues in food, soil and water in addition to imposing economic constraints on developing countries.' (From the Preface) Mycorrhizal Biology addresses the global problem of land degradation and the associated loss of soil productivity and decline in soil quality caused by exploitative farming practices and poor management in developing countries, and the far reaching socio-economic and ecological consequences of its impact on agricultural productivity and the environment. In the light of a need for sustainable development, a new system of productive agriculture, to ensure the efficient management of agricultural inputs for long term high crop productivity with minimum damage to the ecological and socio-economic environment is essential. The management of mycorrhizal fungi will form a significant part of such a system and this work investigates the key association of plant roots with mycorrhizal fungi, known to benefit plants under conditions of nutritional and water stress and pathogen challenge and analyses the developments in our understanding of the genetic loci that govern mycorrhiza formation.

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.

Mycorrhiza will be the focus of research and study for the coming decade. Successful survival and maintenance of plant cover is mostly dependent on mycorrhization. During the last decade about ten books have appeared on various aspects of mycorrhiza, including two on methodology. The present book has been compiled to give a complete and comprehensive description of the topic to the students and researchers in botany, applied mycology, biotechnology, forestry and agriculture. The book will also be useful to planners dealing with biofertilizers and forestation. Besides topics of academic interest, the volume includes several aspects which are unique and are written about for the first time, e.g.: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal symbiosis - recognition and specificity; Mycorrhizal Integration and cellular compatibility between Endomycorrhizal symbionts; Cost - economics of existing methodology for inoculum production of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Mycorrhiza: Ecological Implications of Plant interactions; Outplanting performance of mycorrhizal inoculated seedlings; Fluorescence microscopy in mycorrhiza studies and Ectomycorrhizal fungi as experimental organism. Other aspects not mentioned above include most recent reviews concerning vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza and ectomycorrhizae. The different review chapters have been written by world authorities in their respective specialisations giving more up to date information than is provided anywhere else. This book deals with all major aspects of mycorrhiza, giving structure, ultrastructure, ecology and applications in agriculture and forestry.