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Effects Of Fully Developed Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Hyphae On Seed Germination Of Lolium Perenne, G Keith Bartley Jr, Richard J. Gualandi Jr, Robert M. Augé

Gregory Keith Bartley Jr.

Previous studies demonstrate that the inoculation of mycorrhizal spores in seeds can improve speed of germi- nation and establishment in grass seedlings. The universally positive effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza on plants suggest that fully developed mycorrhizal hyphae could potentially induce faster germination in seeds. This study presents data indicating that the inoculation of full grown hyphae in seeds of Lolium perenne inhibits speed of germination, independent of level of available soil nutrients. Daily measurements of seedling height between in- fected and non-infected plants at different starter fertilization rates in a sand profile showed that abuscular mycor- hiza influenced seeds emerged …