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Home → Publications → Nursery Manuals → Forest Nursery Manual—Bareroot → Chapter 20: Mycorrhiza Management in Bareroot Nurseries

Chapter 20: Mycorrhiza Management in Bareroot Nurseries

Mycorrhizae, or "fungus-roots," involve the intimate association of plant roots with specialized soil fungi. Forest tree seedlings depend upon their mycorrhizae for ade quate nutrient uptake; those lacking mycorrhizae can be severely stunted and their growth in newly sown beds uneven. Nursery managers should avoid practices that cause mycorrhiza deficiency. For example, because soil fumigation destroys mycorrhizal fungus populations, alternative pest-control measures should be substituted whenever possible. Careful seedling manipulations and handling also will reduce damage to mycorrhizae. Soil disturbance should only be necessary to meet management goals so as to minimize disruption of delicate fungus soil networks.


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Author(s): R. Molina, James M. Trappe

Publication: Nursery Manuals - Forest Nursery Manual—Bareroot