Re: What mycorrhizal species are appropriate for innoculating Quercus spp.?

Ron,

From the research that I've found, two species of ectomycorrhizal fungi have been shown to benefit oak species: Pisolithus tinctorius (on Q. rubra and Q. velutina) and Paxillus involutus (on Q. petraea and Q. robur).

There are many more species that colonize Oaks, and there are probably many more that have beneficial effects, but these are the ones that currently have research to back them up. I found a company on the web, DIEHARDŽ Mycorrhizal Inoculants, that provides mycorrhizal inoculum, including P. tinctorius. They also have an exceptionally comprehensive list of references for research involving Pisolithus tinctorius and all the other species that they carry at: http://www.hortsorb.com/researchbyspecie.htm. Though I did not find a commercial supplier of P. involutus, I was able to locate an abstract of the study identifying its benefits at:

http://mycorrhiza.ag.utk.edu/latest/1garba1.htm (Garbaye, J; Churin, JL. 1997. Growth stimulation of young oak plantations inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus with special reference to summer drought. For. Ecol. Manage. 98: 221-228.).

I hope this helps!

Brantlee