Rooting and Establishment of in Vitro Blueberry Plantlets in the Presence of Mycorrhizal Fungi

In Vitro Colonization of Micropropagated Pieris floribunda by Ericoid Mycorrhizae. I. Establishment of Mycorrhizae on Microshoots

“…Root and shoot development of seedlings inoculated with O. tenuissimum are stunted despite lack of mycorrhizal association between host and fungal isolate (Dalpé, 1986). Successful mycorrhizal formation of V. corymbosum with O. griseum without a stimulatory effect on shoot development has been reported (Lareau, 1985;Starrett et al, 1995). Douglas et al (1989) noted the first successful formation of mycorrhizae with an isolate of O. maius and Rhododendron x 'Pink Pearl'.…”

“…Unfortunately, most laboratories are not equipped to sterilize soil with gamma irradiation. Duclos and Fortin (1983), Lareau (1985), and Dalpé (1986) added carbohydrates, mineral nutrients, or other amendments, rather than a layer of soil, to the surface of the agar-solidified medium. These additives resulted in variable growth of either host, endophyte or both.…”

“…Gray, Chapman's rhododendron), (Barnes and Johnson, 1986), R. maximum L. (rosebay rhododendron), (Moore-Parkhurst and Englander, 1981), R. ponticum L. (Duddridge and Read, 1982), Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. (lowbush blueberry) (Couture et al, 1983), and V. corymbosum L. (highbush blueberry) (Lareau, 1985). Oidiodendron griseum is another species that forms mycorrhizae with V. angustifolium (Couture et al, 1983;Dalpé, 1986) and V. corymbosum (Couture et al, 1983;Lareau, 1985).…”

“…(lowbush blueberry) (Couture et al, 1983), and V. corymbosum L. (highbush blueberry) (Lareau, 1985). Oidiodendron griseum is another species that forms mycorrhizae with V. angustifolium (Couture et al, 1983;Dalpé, 1986) and V. corymbosum (Couture et al, 1983;Lareau, 1985). A related species, O. maius, was isolated from roots of Rhododendron x 'Pink Pearl' and forms typical ericoid mycorrhizae when reassociated with rooted microshoots of this cultivar (Douglas et al, 1989).…”

“…This suggestion applies mainly to evaluation of fungi for potential mycorrhizal capacity and effects on root morphology, but does not consider shoot growth or development as affected by mycorrhizal colonization in the roots. To evaluate mycorrhizal potential of a fungal isolate, clonally propagated host plants are desirable to eliminate seedling variability; however, micropropagated plant material is rarely utilized for evaluation of root and shoot growth because of colonization by ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (Currah et al, 1993;Douglas et al, 1989;Lareau, 1985).…”