OCCURRENCE OF THE ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA IN NATIVE WOODY SPECIES IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract

The occurrence of the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), was verified in 101 native woody species, by observing root samples from greenhouse, nursery and field grown plants. AM was not detected in only 8% of species studied, therefore indicating the generalized occurrence of this root symbiosis in tropical woody species. The non-mycorrhizal species are: angico amarelo - Peltophorum dubium e Bauhinia - Bauhinia pulchella (Caesalpinioideae); tento - Ormosia arborea, jacarandá do campo - Machaerium acutifolium and jacarandá banana - Swartzia langsdorffii (all Papilionoideae); pinha do brejo - Talauma ovata (Magnoliaceae); canafístula - Dimorphandra mollis (Mimoideae) e pau terra - Qualea paraensis (Vochyseaceae), other species [guatambú (Aspidosperma parvifolium), jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril) e sibipiruna (Caesalpinia peltophoroides)] showed conflicting results when roots from different conditions were observed. Plant species from the woodland site exhibited higher colonization than those from the cerrado ecosystem and nursery-grown plants.