Response of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.). Kuntze) to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under plantation nursery conditions

Response of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) to inoculation with six species of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Acaulospora scrobiculata Trappe, Glomus aggregatum Schenck & Smith emend. Koske, G. fasciculatum (Thatcher) Gerd. & Trappe emend. Walker & Koske, G. geosporum (Nicol. & Gerd.) Walker, G. intraradices Schenck & Smith and Scutellospora calospora (Nicol. & Gerd.) Walker & Sanders was studied under plantation nursery conditions. Tea seedlings raised in the presence of AM fungi generally showed an increased growth and nutritional status over those grown in the absence of AM fungi. The extent of growth and nutritional status enhanced by AM fungi and the mycorrhizal dependency of the host varied with the species of AM fungi. However, AM association decreased nutrient use efficiencies. Seedlings inoculated with S. calospora had greater biomass and seedling quality than other mycorrhizal seedlings.