SELECCIÓN DE CEPAS EFICIENTES DE HONGOS MICORRÍZICOS ARBUSCULARES PARA EL PASTO GUINEA (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Likoni)

Abstract

In order to select the most efficient strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to improve the nutritional status and productivity of Guinea grass, the following research was carried out on a Lixiviated Ferralitic Red soil. It was conducted at the Cattle Production Enterprise Nina Bonita, located in the Bauta municipality, Artemisa province, Cuba. In it Funneliformis mosseae, Glomus cubense and Rhizophagus intraradices AMF strains plus a control without inoculation were evaluated, in a latin square design. A solid mycorrhizal inoculant formulated with each of the strains was used, containing 35 spores per gram of substrate; which were evenly distributed over the freshly cut grass, with a manual backpack sprayer loaded with a suspension of the AMF mycorrhizal inoculant and water at a 1:10 ratio, to reach a dose of 20 kg ha of inoculum. It was found that the inoculation of G. cubense produced a higher frequency and intensity of mycorrhizal colonization, a higher number of spores in the rhizosphere and the tallest plants, higher concentrations of N, P and K in the biomass of the aerial part and the highest yield of pasture. The effect of this strain remained in the pasture up to 270 days after inoculation. It is concluded that G. cubense was the most efficient strain to improve the nutritional status and increase the productivity of Guinea grass established on the above In order to select the most efficient strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to improve the nutritional status and productivity of Guinea grass, the following research was carried out on a Lixiviated Ferralitic Red soil. It was conducted at the Cattle Production Enterprise Nina Bonita, located in the Bauta municipality, Artemisa province, Cuba. In it Funneliformis mosseae, Glomus cubense and Rhizophagus intraradices AMF strains plus a control without inoculation were evaluated, in a latin square design. A solid mycorrhizal inoculant formulated with each of the strains was used, containing 35 spores per gram of substrate; which were evenly distributed over the freshly cut grass, with a manual backpack sprayer loaded with a suspension of the AMF mycorrhizal inoculant and water at a 1:10 ratio, to reach a dose of 20 kg ha of inoculum. It was found that the inoculation of G. cubense produced a higher frequency and intensity of mycorrhizal colonization, a higher number of spores in the rhizosphere and the tallest plants, higher concentrations of N, P and K in the biomass of the aerial part and the highest yield of pasture. The effect of this strain remained in the pasture up to 270 days after inoculation. It is concluded that G. cubense was the most efficient strain to improve the nutritional status and increase the productivity of Guinea grass established on the above mentioned soil.