Influence of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi in paricá (Schizolobium amazonicum) grown on Pará State, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study wasto determine the presence and influence of Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in a stand of Schizolobium amazonicum trees on Tocantina region, Pará State, Brazil. One year old trees, were evaluated in the field by a team that chose the 10 most developed and the 10 less developed individuals. Height, greater circumference of the stem and leaf number were measured for each tree. At the same time, rhizosphere soil samples were collected at the canopy projection. Samples were analyzed for organic matter content, CaCl₂ pH and presence of hyphae, vesicles, arbuscules and spores in the fine roots. We carried out further soil AMF spores extraction by centrifugation in a sucrose solution which was used for inoculation of S. amazonicum seedlings in a greenhouse. Positive correlations between fungal structures inside the roots and plant measured parameters were verified. Spores inoculation increased significantly height grown of seedlings in greenhouse.