Towards a mycorrhizal application decision model for landscape management

Abstract

Papers advocating the potential value of mycorrhizal inoculation for plant establishment have been published since the 1960s. However, there is a lack of clear and comprehensive published findings from field trials that have direct application to landscape practitioners. This paper presents a conceptual decision model to predict inoculation success in a landscape context. A brief review is given of the potential benefits of inoculation and possible limitations. Several approaches are considered: a plant physiological model based on plant-fungus carbon economy; an economic approach which balances increased yield against increased management costs, and a combined economic-physiological model. This latter model considers site factors, plant performance and likelihood of mycorrhizal benefits, combined with economic values and subjective utilities. The proposed model offers a framework for the interpretation and application of research findings as these become available.