The present manual is of immense importance for the researchers,
teachers and scholars in the field of biological sciences.It will also
prove of great importance to the industrialists for developing an
effective mycorrhizal cultures on commercial scale.The mycorrhizal fungi
are playing a multipurpose role in the crop improvement programmes by
improving the plant health through the acquisition of many micro and
macro nutrients.The use efficiency of different nutrient elements is
also enhanced by AM fungi. Mycorrhizae provide protection to the plant
roots against many soil borne diseases.Regarding the plant water
relations, these organisms play a pivotal role in controlling the
release of water by the plants during drought conditions.Soil physical
properties like granulation and aeration are also improved by these
fungi. The author is highly thankful to the scientific staff of
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, TNAU, Coimbatore for their
generous help in providing the material for the present wo