Determining vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrh izal effectiveness by monitoring P status of subleaflets of an indicator plant

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Abstract
The development of rapid and reliable techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi is crucial in optimizing conditions for enhancing the benefits of the fungi in crop production. In this study we have proposed and tested such a technique. It is based on the monitoring of P status of subleaflets of indicator plant (Leucaena leucocephala) grown in sand‐soil mixture optimized for VAM activity. Individual subleaflets (pinnules) are regularly removed from the plant, dried and their P contents determined colorimetrically. P contents monitored by this technique were linearly related to shoot P contents (r = 0.97). The technique was useful for evaluating the influence of propagule density on VAM activity, for separating soils into categories of VAM effectiveness and for assessing the effects of soil biotic factors on VAM activity. The technique is a simple but powerful tool for selecting host‐endophyte combinations and for creating environmental conditions favorable for the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal association.