Ectomycorrhizae are generally crucial for acceptable growth, and of particular interest are vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (V AM), which are very useful for desired growth of many species including those predominant in tropical forests.

Even though there are reports that fewer mycorrhizae are formed on highly disturbed than on undisturbed sites, abundant mycorrhizae (both ectomycorrhizae and V AM) have been reported from highly disturbed sites such as coal mine soils. In view of this, a list of such fungi forming mycorrhizae has been prepared, which are efficient in forming mycorrhizae and are useful. These fungi can be used as inocula to be applied to roots of sedlings, to allow formation of mycorrhizae. Inoculants like V AM fungi for mycorrhizae, may be supplemented with Rhizobium, Azotobacter (Rhizobium for legumes and Azotobacter for non-legumes) and phosphorus solubilizing microbes (PSM) to allow better establishment and growth of the seedlings.

Similarly, experimental infection of micropropagated plants during rooting should increase their survival chances in the field, which is very important in case of plantations on degraded lands. Growth regulators and nutrients supplied by microorganisms like V AM may promote root and shoot growth in tissue cultured plants. In this connection Pisolithus       tinctorius mycorrhizae          have    been tested. Large batches of viable P. tinctorius inocula have been prepared and used, demonstrating the success of the use of fungi inocula for the formation of mycorrhizae, leading to better establishment of plantations on newer and degraded sites.