Early reduction of Otiorhynchus spp. larval root herbivory on Betula pubescens by beneficial soil fungi

The effects of ectomycorrhizal and insect pathogenic fungi on root herbivory are discussed and we conclude that significant, although mostly unidentified, interactions between the inoculated fungi and the naturally occurring soil microorganisms may explain these findings. Such interactions require further detailed investigation in order to develop an efficient strategy for soil inoculation with beneficial fungi.