Abstract
Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of tree seedlings in the nursery is a biotechnological strategy to improve growth, survival after transplanting, biomass production and to reduce the use of fertilizers. Archontophoenix alexandrae and Euterpe edulis are palm species used in southern Brazil to produce the palm heart, the latter being included in the list of threatened species due to the overexploitation of its native population. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth and physiological parameters of A. alexandrae and E. edulis. After germination, the seedlings were inoculated (AMF) or not (CTL) with AMF in the treatments. Values of chlorophyll content, biomass and shoot phosphorus were not statistically different between the AMF and CTL treatments, after five months in the greenhouse. Inoculation with AMF significantly increased the levels of starch and soluble carbohydrates in shoots and roots of both species. Under field conditions, AMF had no effect on stem diameter and height after 12 and 24 months, but total plant biomass and leaf, stem and root biomass were greater in AMF than in CTL plants. The data indicated that AMF inoculation in the nursery has a strong effect on biomass accumulation after growing for 24 months under field conditions. Therefore, AMF inoculation should be considered an important strategy to increase growth and production of these economically important tropical palm species.
Highlights
Palm species (Family Arecaceae) are an important group of plants within the ecosystems they are distributed in, by providing shading to seedling populations sprouting on the forest floor and as an important food source in tropical forests, especially for bird species (Andreazzi et al, 2009)
Total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b tended to be slightly higher in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) plants than in CTL plants for both palm species, but no statistical differences were detected between AMF and CTL treatments (Table 1)
No significant difference was detected in shoot dry biomass for both species after 5 months and AMF-inoculated A. alexandrae plants had higher P content compared to CTL plants (Table 1)
Summary
Palm species (Family Arecaceae) are an important group of plants within the ecosystems they are distributed in, by providing shading to seedling populations sprouting on the forest floor and as an important food source in tropical forests, especially for bird species (Andreazzi et al, 2009). E. edulis is native to the tropical rainforest of the biome Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlântica) and considered a key species for sustainable forest management. This palm species has only one stem (height 10 - 20 m) and produces fruits for ca. The intensive exploitation of native populations of this species is affecting its long-term economic use and threatening the species. Planting Jussara palm, on the other hand, has some drawbacks, e.g., the long period (8 to 12 years) until the palm heart is ready for harvesting (Morsbach et al, 1998)
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