Non-phytotoxic roots coating compositions comprising a polymer, VAM propagules, and a fungicide that selectively inhibits pathogenic fungi are provided. Also provided are methods of coating plant roots with the aforesaid composition and plants comprising roots coated with a polymer containing VAM propagules and a fungicide.In an alternative approach, the roots are first rolled in a dried polymer composition and then dipped in a suspension of VAM propagules, or attached to a film which is a dried polymer containing a spore suspension.