Inoculation of arbuscular micorrhizal fungi and phosphate fertilization on dwarf cashew seedlings

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of the inoculation of native and exotic arbuscular micorrhizal fungi (AMF) and of the phosphate fertilization on plant growth and nutrient accumulation in dwarf cashew CCP 76. A greenhouse experiment, using a factorial arrangement (4x2), with three mixtures (two native communities of AMF and the commercial Mycogold product) besides a control without fungi and two dosages of phosphorus (0 and 87 mg/L) was carried out. Native AMF were represented by the species Glomus etunicatum, G. glomerulatum, Scutellospora sp. and Acaulospora foveata, from the first community, and G. etunicatum, Entrophospora sp. and Scutellospora sp., from the second community. The cashew seedlings presented a low response to the phosphorus treatment. The symbiotic plant association with the native fungi of the first community and exotic fungi of the commercial product allowed a better plant growth four months after cashew nut sown.