Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma harzianum on three species of balcony plants

Effects of the inoculation of rooting substrate with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, with Trichoderma harzianum, and with both microorganisms and the ef fect of application of fungicide Previcur were tested in an experiment with three species of balcony plants (Verbena, Torenia, Diascia) propagated fro m cuttings. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased fresh weight, d ry weight and total shoot length of Verbena plants and dry weight and total shoot length of Torenia plants. Mycorrhiza improved leaf colour of all thr ee species, the greatest differences of this parameter between inoculated a nd uninoculated plants were found particularly before transplantation, wher eas they almost diminished at the end of the experiment. T. harzianum had n o effect on any growth parameter nor leaf colour. Plants in the treatments inoculated with both microorganisms showed similar significantly positive g rowth response as in the treatments inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi. Appl ication of fungicide Previcur slightly improved leaf colour, and significan tly increased total shoot length of Torenia plants.