Frequency and Intensity of Root Colonization by Ericoid Mycorrhizal Fungi in Nursery Production of Blueberry Plants

Abstract Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (EMF) form symbiotic relationships with roots of blueberry plants providing increased access to nutrients from fertilizers and soil. A survey of commercial nursery plants produced from tissue culture and cuttings was conducted to determine when or if EMF colonize blueberry plants under nursery cultural methods. Although there were cultivar-specific differences, in general, colonization frequency (the percentage of plants colonized) and intensity (the percentage of root length with EMF) increased during the first growing cycle for both plants produced from tissue culture or cuttings. For most cultivars, colonization frequency and intensity increased over the first winter, but decreased after transplanting into either containers or bareroot production beds. Colonization at all phases of production was generally low, however, plants transplanted into bareroot production beds generally had higher colonization than plants transplanted into containers. Our results suggest that...