Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection and phosphorus fertilization on 'Cleopatra' mandarin root-stock

Abstract

This study was carried out at the "Escola Superior de Agricultura de Lavras", with the purpose of verifying effects of phosphorus doses and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation, on P, Ca, Mg, S, Cu and Mn uptake of 'Cleopatra' mandarin until transplanting. The experiment was planted in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 6 factorial scheme, with two mycorrhizal treatments (inoculated and noninoculated) and six dosages of P₂O₅/m³ of substrate, applied as simple superphosphate. Inoculation was done using soil containing a mixture of infective structures of Acaulospora morrowae, Glomus clarum and G. etunicatum that were incorporated into the substrate before sowing. The inoculation promoted better plant growth and lower of Ca, Mg, Cu and Mn content in plants. The addition of increasing doses of simple superphosphate increased P, Ca and S, and reduced Mg.