Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza an Important Biofertilizer for Production of Quality Seedlings of Tree Species

Abstract

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) is a symbiotic fungus accompanying with the roots of higher plants, playing a dynamic role in enhancing seedling growth and quality. It improves nutrient availability, particularly phosphorus, boosts chlorophyll content and fixes atmospheric nitrogen in leguminous species. These benefits make VAM a significant tool in forest nurseries for producing quality planting materials of economically and ecologically important tree species. This review highlights the potential of VAM, alone and in combination with other biofertilizers, in improving seedling growth, quality attributes, and soil fertility, emphasizing its role in sustainable nursery practices for the production of quality tree seedlings. The methodological approach involved reviewing studies that assessed the effects of VAM inoculation under controlled nursery conditions, either independently or combined with biofertilizers such as Rhizobium, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Azospirillum, Frankia, Phosphobacterium, and Azotobacter. Parameters such as seedling growth, nutrient uptake and quality attributes were analyzed. The effects of combining VAM with nutrient inputs like rock phosphate and NPK fertilizers were also evaluated. VAM inoculation alone significantly improved seedling quality in species such as Anthocephalus cadamba, Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo, and Swietenia macrophylla. Its combination with biofertilizers enhanced growth in species like Acacia catechu, Butea monosperma, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Tectona grandis. Integration with nutrient inputs further boosted the performance of species like Leucaena leucocephala and Acacia mangium. VAM is a promising tool for producing quality seedlings, contributing to sustainable afforestation and reforestation efforts by enhancing seedling growth, improving soil fertility and supporting environmental conservation.