Pot culture experiments were carried out in non-pasteurised soil to determine
the effects ofsix different VAM fungi such as Gigaspora margarita, Glomus deserticola,
G. fasciculatiim, G. mosseae, G. monosporum and G. versiforme individually as well as in
combinations with Frankia sp. on the seedling growth of Casuarina equisetifolia.
Inoculation of VAM fungi or Frankia sp. increased the growth and biomass. Among
the different VAM fungi, Glomusfasciculatiim followed by G. versiforme significantly
enhanced the growth, stem girth and biomass. Inoculation with G. monosporum
increased mycorrhizal infection and spore number in the soil. Co-inoculation with
Gigaspora margarita and Frankia sp. significantly increased root colonization and
spore number. Nodule number and nodular biomass were increased with the
inoculation of VAM fungi. They were further increased by inoculations with Frankia
sp. with a maximum in G. mosseae and Frankia sp. inoculated seedlings. Inoculation
with Gigaspora margarita individually orin combination with Frankia sp.significantly
increased tissue P and K concentration. Significant increase of N concentration was
observed in Glomus monosporum inoculation