These studies evaluated the effect of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) products on root colonization and growth of ornamental annuals grown in Cecil sandy clay loam. Adding phosphorus (P) decreased Mycor (Mycor Flower Saver Plus TM ; Plant Healthcare, Inc.) colonization of Impatiens wallerana and Salvia splendens without reducing colonization by native AMF. An April 2001 study indicated Mycor or Healthy Start TM , fertilizer in Mycor, did not increase native AMF root colonization of Impatiens (32%) and demonstrated that Mycor did not colonize Impatiens (0%) in sterilized soil. In an August 2001 study, soil sterilization did not limit colonization by native AMF in Impatiens and Salvia grown in a 3 sterile: 1 non-sterile soil. Mycor and endoRoots TM (Roots, Inc.) colonization of Impatiens (0%, 0.3%) and Salvia (0%, 0%) was negligible. Using product obtained from the producers, an April 2002 study demonstrated that Mycor can colonize Impatiens (22%), but endoRoots colonization was again low (0.2%).
