Effects Of Mycorrhizal Fungi Research Articles

Effects of mycorrhizal fungi on root-hair growth and hormone levels of taproot and lateral roots in trifoliate orange under drought stress

ABSTRACTA pot experiment was used to evaluate the effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae on plant growth performance, root-hair growth, and root hormone levels in trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings under well-watered (WW) and drought stress (DS). A 9-week mild DS treatment significantly reduced mycorrhizal colonization of 2nd- and 3rd-order lateral roots. Root mycorrhizal colonization was relatively higher in the 2nd- and 3rd-order lateral roots than in the taproot and the 1st-order lateral root under WW and DS. AMF seedlings exhibited significantly higher root-hair density, length (except for the taproot) and diameter in taproot and 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-order lateral roots under WW, and considerably higher root-hair density (except for 1st-order lateral root), length (except for 2nd-order lateral root) and diameter under DS. Mycorrhizal inoculation remarkably increased root abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), methyl jasmonate, and brassinosteroids (BRs) concentrations under DS, in company with the decrease in root zeatin riboside and gibberellins levels and root IAA effluxes. Root-hair traits were significantly positively correlated with root colonization and root ABA and BRs levels. It is concluded that mycorrhizal plants possessed better root-hair growth to adapt mild DS, which is associated with mycorrhizal colonization and endogenous hormone changes.

Mycelia‐derived C contributes more to nitrogen cycling than root‐derived C in ectomycorrhizal alpine forests

Abstract Plant roots and their associated microbial symbionts impact carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in ecosystems, but estimates of the relative contributions of root‐ versus microbe‐derived dynamic inputs are highly uncertain. Roots release C into soil via exudation and turnover (i.e., root‐derived C), but also by allocating C to mycorrhizal fungal mycelia, which exude C and undergo turnover (i.e., mycelia‐derived C). Given that the relative contributions of root‐ and mycelia‐derived C inputs are unknown, a key knowledge gap lies in understanding not only the relative contributions of root‐ versus mycelia‐derived C inputs, but also the consequences of these fluxes on nutrient cycling. Using ingrowth cores and stable isotope analyses, we quantified root‐ and mycelia‐derived C inputs into the soil and their relative contributions to nitrogen (N) cycling in two ectomycorrhizal alpine forests, a 70‐year‐old spruce plantation and a 200‐year‐old spruce‐fir dominated forest, in western Sichuan, China. Across the two forests, extramatrical mycelia of ectomycorrhizal fungi accounted for up to two‐thirds of the new root C inputs into soil and ~80% of the stimulated N mineralization. Moreover, flux‐specific (per gram) mycelia‐derived C inputs stimulated multiple indices of soil N cycling to a greater degree than the flux‐specific root‐derived C inputs, accounting for ~70% of the stimulated N mineralization in both forests. Collectively, our findings indicate that the effects of mycorrhizal fungi on soil C and N cycling may exceed those of roots in alpine coniferous forests dominated by ectomycorrhizal fungi, highlighting the need to incorporate mycorrhizal fungal inputs into biogeochemical models for ecosystems. A plain language summary is available for this article.

Effects of mycorrhizal fungi on growth and yield of sweet pepper (Caspicum annuum L.) under drought stress conditions

Effects of mycorrhizal fungi on growth and yield of sweet pepper (Caspicum annuum L.) under drought stress conditions

Mycorrhizal symbiosis increase the level of total foliar phenols and tannins in Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J.B. Gillett seedlings

Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J.B. Gillett is a Brazilian medicinal species commonly used by Brazilians for its pharmacological properties, which are related to the presence of primary and secondary plant metabolism compounds. The inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in various medicinal plants increases the growth of plants and the production of therapeutically important metabolites. However, missing studies about the effects of mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and production of biomolecules in C. leptophloeos. The objective of this paper is to determine the growth and the concentration of primary and secondary metabolites and the total foliar antioxidant activity in C. leptophloeos seedlings in terms of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. C. leptophloeos plantlets were transplanted into sacs containing 1.2kg of soil and 10% vermicompost, which received soil-inoculum in the root region. After 140days in a greenhouse, growth variables, primary and secondary metabolite concentration, and total foliar antioxidant activity were determined. AMF reduce the concentration of soluble carbohydrates, and increase the concentration of total foliar phenols and tannins in C. leptophloeos inoculated with G. albida and C. etunicatum. A. longula was fewer effective in relation to the other tested mycorrhizal fungi. The inoculation with G. albida or C. etunicatum favors the production of C. leptophloeos seedlings with increase of total foliar phenols and tannins, which are compounds with pharmacological importance.

USING MYCORRHIZA IN ONION GROWING: RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE

The feasibility of using mycorrhizal products in biological agriculture is shown in the paper. When growing onions it is reasonable to use the Glomus fungi. It was found out that the mycorrhiza on onion roots improves the plant growth in the early stages of ontogeny. The effectiveness of mycorrhizal fungi on light-brown soils is reducing under the influence of high temperatures and low humidity. The factors causing the stress reduce the plant immunity and lead to the need to use pesticides.

Beneficial Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth Characteristics and Nutrients Uptake by Plane Tree (Platanus orientalis L), Subjected to Deficit Irrigation

Beneficial Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth Characteristics and Nutrients Uptake by Plane Tree (Platanus orientalis L), Subjected to Deficit Irrigation

Availability and function of arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi during revegetation of dewatered reservoirs left after dam removal

AbstractRevegetation following dam removal projects may depend on recovery of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal communities, which perform valuable ecosystem functions. This study assessed the availability and function of AM and EM fungi for plants colonizing dewatered reservoirs following a dam removal project on the Elwha River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, United States. Availability was assessed via AM fungal spore density in soils and EM root tip colonization of Salix sitchensis (Sitka willow) in an observational field study. The effect of mycorrhizal fungi from 4 sources (reservoir soils, commercial inoculum, and 2 mature plant community soils) on growth and nutrient status of S. sitchensis was quantified in a greenhouse study. AM fungal spores and EM root tips were present in all field samples. In the greenhouse, plants receiving reservoir soil inoculum had only incipient mantle formation, while plants receiving inoculum from mature plant communities had fully formed EM root tips. EM formation corresponded with alleviation of phosphorus stress in plants (lower shoot nitrogen:phosphorus). Thus, revegetating plants have access to AM and EM fungi following dam removal, and EM formation may be especially important for plant P uptake in reservoir soils. However, availability of mycorrhizal fungi declines with distance from established plant communities. Furthermore, EM fungal communities in recently dewatered reservoirs may not be as effective at forming beneficial mycorrhizae as those from mature plant communities. Whole soil inoculum from mature plant communities may be important for the success of revegetating plants and recovery of mycorrhizal fungal communities.

Optimizing phosphorus use in sustainable maize cropping via mycorrhizal inoculation

ABSTRACTMore details have yet to be indicated on the interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and phosphorus (P) chemical fertilization under field conditions. Accordingly, the objectives were to: (1) evaluate the combined effects of mycorrhizal fungi and chemical P fertilization on maize yield, yield components, and nutrient uptake and (2) indicate the optimum rate of P chemical fertilization (P1, P2, P3) with the use of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices and G. mosseae). A factorial experiment using randomized complete blocks with three replicates, conducted at the Research Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz branch, Iran. Results indicated the significant effect of P, AM fungi, and their interaction on most of the measured traits. Grain yield (7909.3 kg/ha), maize nutrient content of P (0.39%), zinc (Zn) (42.1 mg/kg), iron (Fe) (68.3 mg/kg), and the colonization rate (47.5%) were all the highest by the interaction of G intraradices × P2.

Effects of mycorrhizal fungi on tree seedling growth: quantifying the parasitism–mutualism transition along a light gradient

Mycorrhizal fungi colonize tree seedlings shortly after germination, and the nature of this relationship (mutualistic to parasitic) has been reported to vary as a function of resources; however, this transition has rarely been quantified. Using a light gradient, we grew seedlings of eight tree species in soils that were cultivated by several co-existing species of trees. We used data on root mycorrhizal fungi to quantify colonization along the gradient of light. We then analyzed plant growth as a function of both the light gradient and the extent of mycorrhizal colonization. Mycorrhizal fungi colonization varied among species but was not correlated with the species’ seed sizes or shade tolerances. Within a species, colonization varied among soil sources, but those differences followed neither the conspecific–heterospecific dichotomy, nor the soil host’s arbuscular–ectomycorrhizal associations commonly reported. At high light levels, seedlings growth increased with increasing levels of colonization for seven species, and at low light levels, the effect of colonization was negative for five species. We also quantified the light threshold at which the plant – mycorrhizal fungi relationship shifted from neutral to positive (four species), from negative to neutral (one species), and from neutral to negative (one species), documenting differences among species that could exacerbate competitive interactions during recruitment.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Yield and Phytoremediation Performance of Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) Under Heavy Metals Stress

In order to study the effect of mycorrhizal fungi (inoculated and non-inoculated) and heavy metals stress [0, Pb (150 and 300 mg/kg) and Cd (40 and 80 mg/kg)] on pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), a factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with 4 replications in Research Greenhouse of Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Tehran, Iran, during 2012–2013. Plant height, herbal and flower fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight and root volume, colonization percentage, total petal extract, total petal flavonoids, root and shoot P and K uptakes, and Pb and Cd accumulations in root and shoot were measured. Results indicated that with increasing soil Pb and Cd concentration, growth and yield of pot marigold was reduced significantly; Cd had greater negative impacts than Pb. However, mycorrhizal fungi alleviated these impacts by improving plant growth and yield. Pot marigold concentrated high amounts of Pb and especially Cd in its roots and shoots; mycorrhizal plants had a greater accumulation of these metals, so that those under 80 mg/kg Cd soil−1 accumulated 833.3 and 1585.8 mg Cd in their shoots and roots, respectively. In conclusion, mycorrhizal fungi can improve not only growth and yield of pot marigold in heavy metal stressed condition, but also phytoremediation performance by increasing heavy metals accumulation in the plant organs.

Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi with Phosphate Fertilizer Applications on Phosphate Solubilizing and Soil Properties of Grapes Orchard

The objective of this study was to efficiency determined of mycorrhizal fungi with different phosphate fertilizer application on phosphate solubilizing and soil properties of grapes orchard. The treatments were arranged in 2x5 factorials in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 5 replications. Factor 1: two levels of mycorrhizal fungi were non-inoculation and inoculation. Factor 2: five levels of phosphate fertilizer application were 0, 27.17, 54.34, 81.52 and 108.69 g plant-1 by soil analysis recommendation. The collected data was spore number, root colonization density, phosphatases activity of mycorrhizal fungi, available phosphorus (P) in soil, soil pH and phosphorus in leaf. The results showed that the inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi increased spore number, root colonization density, phosphatases activity of mycorrhizal fungi, available P in soil and P in leaf compared with the non-inoculated. While, phosphate fertilizer at a rate 54.34 g plant-1 increased spore number, root colonization density, phosphatases activity of mycorrhizal fungi, available P in soil and P in leaf. Mycorrhizal fungi combination with 54.34 g plant-1 of phosphate fertilizer increased spore number, root colonization density, phosphatases activity and available P in soil.

Mycorrhiza for all: an under‐earth revolution

Mycorrhiza for all: an under‐earth revolution

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alter above- and below-ground chemical defense expression differentially among Asclepias species

Below-ground (BG) symbionts of plants can have substantial influence on plant growth and nutrition. Recent work demonstrates that mycorrhizal fungi can affect plant resistance to herbivory and the performance of above- (AG) and BG herbivores. Although these examples emerge from diverse systems, it is unclear if plant species that express similar defensive traits respond similarly to fungal colonization, but comparative work may inform this question. To examine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the expression of chemical resistance, we inoculated 8 species of Asclepias (milkweed)—which all produce toxic cardenolides—with a community of AMF. We quantified plant biomass, foliar and root cardenolide concentration and composition, and assessed evidence for a growth-defense tradeoff in the presence and absence of AMF. As expected, total foliar and root cardenolide concentration varied among milkweed species. Importantly, the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on total foliar cardenolide concentration also varied among milkweed species, with foliar cardenolides increasing or decreasing, depending on the plant species. We detected a phylogenetic signal to this variation; AMF fungi reduced foliar cardenolide concentrations to a greater extent in the clade including A. curassavica than in the clade including A. syriaca. Moreover, AMF inoculation shifted the composition of cardenolides in AG and BG plant tissues in a species-specific fashion. Mycorrhizal inoculation changed the relative distribution of cardenolides between root and shoot tissue in a species-specific fashion, but did not affect cardenolide diversity or polarity. Finally, a tradeoff between plant growth and defense in non-mycorrhizal plants was mitigated completely by AMF inoculation. Overall, we conclude that the effects of AMF inoculation on the expression of chemical resistance can vary among congeneric plant species, and ameliorate tradeoffs between growth and defense.

Preceding Crops Affected Soybean Iron‐Deficiency Chlorosis and Vesicular‐Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Soybean Cyst Nematode‐Infested Fields

Iron‐deficiency chlorosis (IDC) and soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) are important factors limiting soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield. Vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (MF) are generally beneficial to crops. The effect of preceding crops with known variation in MF colonization was tested in two SCN‐infested fields in Waseca and Lamberton in Minnesota to determine the effect of MF and other soil biotic and abiotic factors on IDC. No crop effect on soybean yield was detected. There was no difference in SCN population density following nonhost crops at Lamberton, but sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) resulted in lower SCN population density than corn (Zea mays L.) at Waseca. Chlorosis rating and colonization frequency of soybean roots by MF were lowest following canola (Brassica napus L.) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), the two nonmycorrhizal crops. Soybean had lowest number and weight of N‐fixing nodules following soybean, highest following corn, and intermediate following other crops. Iron‐deficiency chlorosis was positively correlated with MF and negatively correlated with nodulation and soil Fe at both sites. The correlations of SCN, other soil elements, and soil penetration resistance with IDC were either insignificant at both sites or inconsistent across the sites. No consistent correlation of soil factors with MF was detected. This study suggests that a causal relationship between MF and IDC might exist, but it requires further exploration.

Suillus mycelia under elevated atmospheric CO2 support increased bacterial communities and scarce nifH gene activity in contrast to Hebeloma mycelia

Bacterial communities associated with mycorrhizal roots are likely to respond to rising atmospheric CO(2) levels in terms of biomass, community composition and activity since they are supported by the carbon (C) flow outside the root tips, especially by exudation of low molecular weight organic compounds. We studied how general bacterial and diazotrophic communities associated with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi respond to different belowground C supply conditions, mediated by elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentration under nitrogen (N) limited conditions. Microcosm systems were constructed using forest soil and Scots pine seedlings, which were either pre-inoculated with one of the ECM fungal species Hebeloma velutipes or Suillus variegatus, or non-inoculated. These fungal species differ in C allocation and exudation patterns. Seedlings were maintained under ambient (380 ppm) or elevated (700 ppm) CO(2) levels for 6 months. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed a significant increase in 16S rRNA gene copy numbers for Suillus-inoculated microcosms under elevated CO(2) compared to ambient CO(2). The copy numbers of the nitrogenase reductase (nifH) gene were under the detection limit in all samples regardless the CO(2) treatments. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of PCR-amplified nifH genes revealed simple and consistent communities in all samples throughout the incubation period. A nested reverse transcription PCR approach revealed that expression of nifH genes were detected in some microcosms. Our findings suggest that the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on soil bacteria may vary depending on C supply and fungal species.

Development of mycorrhized vitroplants of Jatropha curcas L. at different rooting stages

In this work, we attempted to assess the effects of inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Glomus clarum, on the survival and development of micropropagated Jatropha curcas plantlets at different rooting stages. Elongated shoots (average 3 cm) of J. curcas, maintained for 0, 14, or 21 days on rooting medium in the presence or absence of 1 mg L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), were transferred to a sand:soil:vermiculite (1:1/2:1) (v:v:v) substrate. At the time of transplantation, the plantlets were either inoculated or not inoculated with G. clarum that had been monoaxenically produced in Ri-transformed carrot roots. After a 2-week acclimatization period, 100 % of the plants kept for 0 or 14 days in rooting medium survived. However, those that remained for 21 days in rooting medium displayed post-acclimatization survival rates of 93 and 89 % for plants inoculated and non-inoculated with G. clarum, respectively. Colonization rates ranged from 70 to 93 %, and the stimulatory effects of AMF were evidenced by increased phosphorus uptake by plants and increases in all evaluated growth parameters, except plant height. Plants that were not subjected to the rooting stage showed growth similar to or higher than those subjected to the rooting stage, regardless of the addition of IBA. It can be concluded that stimulatory effects of mycorrhizal fungi were observed, and that the inoculation of J. curcas proved effective during the initial period of the acclimatization phase.

Role of mycorrhizal fungi and salicylic acid in salinity tolerance of Ocimum basilicum resistance to salinity

Salinity is one of the common agricultural and biological problems. Most researchers showed that inoculation of plants with mycorrhizal fungi and using salicylic acid increase tolerance of plants due to salinity. In this study, the effect of mycorrhizal fungi, including Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices , and salicylic acid (0.2 mM) on tolerance of green basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) to salinity resulting from sodium chloride (75 and 150 mM) was compared and considered. The results show that salinity caused reduction of root inoculation of plants with G. mosseae, and against increased malondialdehyde (MDA), other aldehydes, reduced sugars and proline in aerial organs and protein in aerial organs and root. In salinity conditions, sodium content increased in aerial organs and root of basil plant, which is an indicator of damage resulting from salinity. In pretreatment of plants with salicylic acid (0.2 mM), lipid peroxidation was decreased; proline and protein content in aerial organs and root, reduced sugars of root and potassium in aerial organs were increased. Mycorrhizal inoculation decreased lipid peroxidation and increased reduced sugars, proline, protein and potassium contents in aerial organs and roots. In comparison of mycorrhizal inoculation and SA pretreatment, it was observed that effect mycorrhizal inoculation on increase proline, protein and potassium in aerial organs and root and on decrease in sodium of aerial organs was more intensive than salicylic acid. On the other hand, the effect of salicylic on increase in proline of aerial organs and on decrease in potassium of root relative to inoculated plants with mycorrhizae was more intensive. Based these results, it can be concluded that the effect of inoculating plants with mycorrhizae relative to salicylic acid causes a better resistance in basil plant relative to tension of salinity. Key words: Mycorrhizal fungi, salicylic acid, Ocimum basilicum .

Effect of clone selection, nitrogen supply, leaf damage and mycorrhizal fungi on stilbene and emodin production in knotweed

BackgroundFallopia japonica and its hybrid, F. xbohemica, due to their fast spread, are famous as nature threats rather than blessings. Their fast growth rate, height, coverage, efficient nutrient translocation between tillers and organs and high phenolic production, may be perceived either as dangerous or beneficial features that bring about the elimination of native species or a life-supporting source. To the best of our knowledge, there have not been any studies aimed at increasing the targeted production of medically desired compounds by these remarkable plants. We designed a two-year pot experiment to determine the extent to which stilbene (resveratrol, piceatannol, resveratrolosid, piceid and astringins) and emodin contents of F. japonica, F. sachalinensis and two selected F. xbohemica clones are affected by soil nitrogen (N) supply, leaf damage and mycorrhizal inoculation.Results1) Knotweeds are able to grow on substrates with extremely low nitrogen content and have a high efficiency of N translocation. The fast-spreading hybrid clones store less N in their rhizomes than the parental species. 2) The highest concentrations of stilbenes were found in the belowground biomass of F. japonica. However, because of the high belowground biomass of one clone of F. xbohemica, this hybrid produced more stilbenes per plant than F. japonica. 3) Leaf damage increased the resveratrol and emodin contents in the belowground biomass of the non-inoculated knotweed plants. 4) Although knotweed is supposed to be a non-mycorrhizal species, its roots are able to host the fungi. Inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi resulted in up to 2% root colonisation. 5) Both leaf damage and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi elicited an increase of the piceid (resveratrol-glucoside) content in the belowground biomass of F. japonica. However, the mycorrhizal fungi only elicited this response in the absence of leaf damage. Because the leaf damage suppressed the effect of the root fungi, the effect of leaf damage prevailed over the effect of the mycorrhizal fungi on the piceid content in the belowground biomass.ConclusionsTwo widely spread knotweed species, F. japonica and F. xbohemica, are promising sources of compounds that may have a positive impact on human health. The content of some of the target compounds in the plant tissues can be significantly altered by the cultivation conditions including stress imposed on the plants, inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and selection of the appropriate plant clone.

A 60-year journey of mycorrhizal research in China: Past, present and future directions

The significance of mycorrhizas (fungal roots in 90% of land plants) in plant nutrient acquisition and growth, element biogeochemical cycling and maintaining of terrestrial ecosystem structures has been globally established for more than 120 years. Great progress in mycorrhizal research in the past 60 years (1950-2009, 1981-2009 in particular) has also been made across China, particularly in the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. For instance, a total of 20 new and approximately 120 records of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal species, 30 new and approximately 800 records of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal species, a dozen of new and approximately 100 records of orchid mycorrhizal (OM) fungal species have been isolated by morphological observation and/or molecular identification in China since the 1950s. Great accomplishment has also been made in the following area, including fungal species richness and genetic structure, relationships between species composition and plant taxa, effects of mycorrhizal fungi on plant nutrient uptake and growth, resistances to pathogens and interactions with other soil microorganisms, potential of mycorrhizal fungi in phytoremediation and/or land reclamation, alterations of enzymatic activities in mycorrhizal plants, and elevated CO(2) and O(3) on root colonization and species diversity. Unfortunately, the international community cannot easily appreciate almost all Chinese mycorrhizal studies since the vast majority of them have been published in Chinese and/or in China-based journals. The aim of this review is to make a comprehensive exposure of the past and present China's major mycorrhizal research to the whole world, and then to suggest potential directions for the enhancement of future mycorrhizal research within and/or between the Chinese and international mycorrhizal community.

Influence of Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Rooting of Stem and Stolon Cuttings of the Colombian Blueberry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz)

The Colombian blueberry (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) is a promissory crop for the Andean Region of South America, and the absence of a suitable propagation protocol presents a difficulty introducing it into commercial production. This research was undertaken in order to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on rhizogenesis of stem and stolon cuttings of the Colombian blueberry. The highest rooting percentages (up to 73.3%) were observed at day 60 on stem cuttings treated with 200 mg −1 4-indole-3yl-butyric acid or napthtalene-acetic acid in mycorrhiza-free substrate. The presence of mycorrhizas in substrate increased cutting viability up to 95%, but reduced percentage rooting, root number, and root length on stem cuttings of the Colombian blueberry. Treating stem cuttings with 200–400 mg −1 4-indole-3yl-butyric acid or napthtalene-acetic acid diminished the effects of fungi on root formation. The use of stolon cuttings for vegetative propagation of the Colombian blueberry had low practical applicability. The results of the study might further serve to establish the optimal substrate conditions and cutting source for vegetative propagation of the Colombian blueberry in commercial culture.