Isolation and Culture of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi from Field Samples.

The isolation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from different land use is the starting point for selecting and producing inoculants. There are different techniques to isolate and produce large-scale arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-based inoculum, being soil, inert substrate, and in vitro culture techniques among the most used by different biofertilizer producers. This chapter describes an active operating method to isolate and produce large-scale fungal inoculant in substrate-based manufacturing. In addition, critical parameters are presented for the optimal production of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculum. All the steps of the process are enlisted: from choosing the source of inoculum, its production, scaling, sustaining quality control, to shelf life.