Effects of containers on development of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The influences of three different volumes of containers (2.3L, 6.3L, 8.3L) on the growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae were studied. The results showed that at the beginning of the establishment of host plant–fungal isolate combinations, AM fungi in smallest container had more chance to contact the roots of host plant because the root density of host plant was larger than that in other two containers. Under this condition, the root could be infected by Glomus mosseae quickly and the host plant–fungal isolate combinations grew very fast. Moreover, the chance of second infection by external hyphae was increased also. A good circulation had been established. To the end, it was found to be favorable to the growth of spores in the substrate. The influence of different volumes of containers on the growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus was very complicated, not only the ratio of area to volume of container but also the density of host plants cultivated could influence the mycorrhizal development.