Review Arbuscular mycorrhizae in micropropagation systems and their potential applications Rupam Kapoor * , Deepika Sharma, A.K. Bhatnagar Environmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India Received 28 September 2007; received in revised form 22 January 2008; accepted 1 February 2008 Abstract Over the past few years, micropropagation techniques are being widely used as an important and advantageous tool for rapid propagation of several commercially important varieties of horticultural and forest tree species. Although, this technology has got several successful applications, low survival rates and poor growth while shifting these plantlets to field conditions are the most common problems which hinders its usage for commercial plant production practices. Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to the roots of micropropagated plantlets plays a beneficial role on their post-transplanting performance. This review discusses the multiple roles played by AMF in the establishment of micropropagated plantlets. Different techniques of mycorrhization and the constraints pertaining to the use of these techniques are also discussed. # 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. Keywords: Commercial plant production; Micropropagation; Micropropagated plantlets; Mycorrhization; Post-transplanting performance Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................. 228 2. Impediments to the success of traditional micropropagation techniques ........................................ 228 3. Beneficial effects of AMF inoculation to micropropagated plantlets ........................................... 230 3.1. Development of a superior root system .......................................................... 230 3.2. Increased photosynthetic efficiency ............................................................. 230 3.3. Increased water conducting capacity ............................................................ 230 3.4. Enhanced nutrient uptake ................................................................... 230 3.5. Averts attack by harmful soil borne pathogens ..................................................... 231 3.6. Alleviate environmental stresses ............................................................... 231 4. Methods of mycorrhization ....................................................................... 231 5. Methods of inoculum production ................................................................... 231 5.1. Soil-based inocula ........................................................................ 232 5.1.1. Pot culture ........................................................................ 232 5.1.2. Inoculum rich soil pellets ............................................................. 232 5.2. Soil-free inocula .......................................................................... 232 5.2.1. Aeroponic cultures .................................................................. 232 5.2.2. Root organ culture .................................................................. 232 5.2.3. Nutrient Film Technique .............................................................. 232 5.2.4. Polymer-based inoculum .............................................................. 232 5.2.5. Integrated approach ................................................................. 233 6. Utilization of mycorrhization in micropropagated systems ................................................. 233 6.1. Establishment of micropropagated plantlets ....................................................... 233 6.2. Growth and development of micropropagated plantlets ............................................... 233 www.elsevier.com/locate/scihorti Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Scientia Horticulturae 116 (2008) 227–239 * Corresponding author. E-mail address: kapoor_rupam@yahoo.com (R. Kapoor). 0304-4238/$ – see front matter # 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2008.02.002