Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the growth and nutrition of jenipapo fruit tree seedlings

Abstract

Some studies have shown that inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in seedling production has great potential for developing a rational and efficient cultivation of fruit tree seedlings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and nutrition of seedlings of genipap (Genipa americana L.). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, evaluating six fungal species: Glomus clarum, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus manihots, Gigaspora albida, Acaulospora scrobiculata and Scutellospora heterogama with ten repetitions. The species A. scrobiculata, G. clarum and G. etunicatum colonized the root system more intensely and promoted better growth of genipap seedlings in comparison to G. manihots and G. albida. The fungus G. etunicatum stood out, promoting increases in height (44.4%), stem diameter (63.6%), dry biomass production in shoots (288.8%), roots (248.7%) and leaf area (315.7%) compared to control seedlings. With the exception of Mn and Fe, inoculated seedlings had higher nutrient content than the control seedlings. The seedlings inoculated with S. heterogama showed growth and nutrient content similar to the control seedlings. The mycorrhizal colonization correlated positively with N, P, K, Mg and Cu content and negatively with Fe and Mn content in the leaves of genipap seedlings. Genipap is a plant that responds to AMF, and the inoculation favoured growth and nutrition of the seedlings.