20.1 Introduction
Nursery managers have long recognized the importance of well-developed root systems for producing resilient planting stock. We now realize that adequate development of mycorrhi- zae on seedling roots is equally important —indeed, essential— for healthy seedling growth in the nursery and desired per- formance after outplanting.
In this chapter, we focus on the major benefits seedlings derive from mycorrhizae, how environmental factors and man- agement practices affect mycorrhizal fungus populations and subsequent development of mycorrhizae, and methods to foster mycorrhiza development in bareroot nurseries. We also provide an update on prospects for artificially inoculating seed- lings with selected, highly beneficial mycorrhizal fungi