Mycorrhizal inoculation can be used in situations when the soil quality is sub-optimal to increase productivity, size, and health of plants. It is typically used for agriculture and landscape restoration. For new planting, the phosphorus level in the soil should be kept at a natural level - if it is too high, the fungus will grow very slowly. If applying fertilizers, do so after three weeks to allow for germination and either use time release or organic fertilizers. Avoid using fungicides if possible, but mycorrhizae are generally not harmed by herbicides, nematicides or insecticides. The fungi will not grow, or will not grow well, in waterlogged areas or soils with an extremely high or low pH.

The following table, from the 2001 article titled “ Towards a mycorrhizal application decision model for landscape management”in Landscape and Urban Planning magazine, shows some of the site conditions that might be addressed through the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

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