SEEDLING GROWTH OF RAINFOREST SPECIES INOCULATED WITH ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI: AN ANALYSIS OF THE SIZE FRAGMENT EFFECT

Abstract

Deforestation is a process that brings as a consequence strong environmental problems in tropical rain forests. Restoration of damaged areas can accelerate succession process and improve seedling performance. One way to reach this objective is to inoculate them with native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. This study analyzed the effect of mycorrhizae inoculation on seedling survivorship and growth of two tree species, Pleuranthodendron lindenii (light demanding) and Pimenta dioica (shade tolerant) in shaded greenhouse and field conditions in the region of "Los Tuxtlas", Veracruz. We applied three inoculation treatments, without mycorrhizal inoculum (control), mycorrhizal inoculum from small fragments, and inoculum from large fragments. We analyzed survivorship and relative growth rates for height and diameter. For both species, significant differences (p<0.05) in growth rates in height and diameter were found for inoculum origin and time, as well as their interaction. The highest mean values corresponded to plants with inoculum from small fragments. Differences in survival among arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi treatments were significant only under shaded greenhouse conditions. The results are discussed in terms of life history traits and environmental conditions.