Contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to the growth of Guazuma ulmifolia in degraded 'cerrado' soil

Abstract

Experiments were carried out in a greenhouse, using reforested degraded pasture and preserved 'cerrado' (control) soil with the objective to evaluate the contribution of autoctone arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the Guazuma ulmifolia Lamb. growth. Seedlings were transplanted to plastic bags with 2 kg of sterilized soil: sand substrate (4:1). Plants were inoculated with ca. 300 spores of AMF per replication; non-inoculated plants served as control. AMF did not improve significantly canopy dry matter, root fresh matter and plant height. G. ulmifolia showed no response to mycorrhizae.