• Jyothi R
• Srinivas Murhy K M
• Hossein

ABSTRACT AM fungi are extensive and are established mainly in agriculture. They play a significant role in both healthy growth and productivity of plants. They possess capacity to augment seedling tolerance to drought, high temperatures, toxic heavy metals, high or low pH and even extreme soil acidity. In recent years, the cultivation of medicinal and herbal plants using AM has assumed greater due to their incredible potential in modern and traditional medicine. AM fungi can play an effective role in the conservation of some valuable medicinal plants. Inoculation of AM fungi during an early stage of acclimatization process has become an alternative strategy for better establishment by improving the plant growth. The studies suggest the potential use of AM fungi for promoting growth in Colocasia esculenta that was propagated In vitro. A protocol was generated for ex vitro hardening of In vitro raised plantlets using VAM consortia in different media mixtures, and their effect was observed on plant survival and growth. Maximum percent survival, maximum plant height, maximum root fresh weight, maximum leaf length, maximum root length were observed in treatment comprising of Soil + Coir compost (3:1) + 50 g VAM consortia, followed by treatment comprising Soil + Vermicompost (1:1)+ 50 g VAM consortia and control media comprising of only soil. Also, Media comprising of Soil + FYM (1:1) + 10 g VAM consortia. Maximum percent colonization was showed in media comprising of Soil + Vermicompost (3:1) + 50 g VAM consortia, while lowest root colonization was found in media comprising of Soil + FYM (1:1) + 10 g VAM consortia. Control treatment showed no root colonization. It was concluded that the treatment with a mixture of Soil + Vermicompost (3:1) with 50 g VAM consortia showed the best results in diverse aspects of plant growth.

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, Colocasia esculenta, In vitro Propagation, Hardening

"Influence Of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza In The Hardening Of In vitro Propagated Western ghats Cultivar - Colocasia esculenta ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.165-170, June-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906806.pdf

"Influence Of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza In The Hardening Of In vitro Propagated Western ghats Cultivar - Colocasia esculenta ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp165-170, June-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1906806.pdf