A comparison of nine species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the development and nutrition of micropropagated Rubus idaeus L. cv. Glen Prosen (Red Raspberry)

Growth, development and nutrient status of micropropagated Rubus idaeus cv. Glen Prosen in response to inoculation with nine species of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi from three different genera was investigated. The nine species of AM fungi included, Glomus clarum, G. etunicatum, G. intraradices, Gigaspora rosea, Gi. gigantea, Gi. margarita, Scutellospora calospora, S. heterogama and S. persica. Plant responses to AM fungi varied from growth enhancement to growth depression. Depressive growth effects were specific to Gigaspora species. Furthermore, particular species of AM fungi had unique effects on the mineral status of the raspberry plants. Importance of isolate selection for inoculation of micropropagated raspberry plants is discussed.