ABSTRACT
Light expanded clay aggregates have been used as a carrier material for mass multiplying AM fungi in Germany (Dehne and Backhaus, 1986). AM fungi sporulate within the porous inorganic particles. Clay granules of 4 to 10 mm are optimum for the reproduction of AM fungi. In expanded clay, the inoculum can be produced in a relatively short time in large greenhouses. The carrier being an inorganic material, there is less contamination by pathogenic organisms. The inoculum is light, hence easy to transport. The shelf-life of the preparation is up to five years. The product is granular, hence can be used with agricultural machinery.
