Characterization of colonization by micorhizae in Retrophyllum rospigliossi Pilger in the Huamantanga forest, Peru

Abstract

Podocarpacea are the only native conifers of Peru, a country that contains one of the most important South American populations of one of its member species: Retrophyllum rospigliossi Pilger, which lives in the rainforests, where it is only preserved in small relics; due to this and the difficulties for reproduction and conservation in-situ is considered a vulnerable species. Among the microorganisms of the soil, the mycorrhizal fungi stand out for their symbiotic activity by allowing efficient nutrition, being beneficial for many species of trees, providing them with the necessary conditions for their survival. The objective of this work was to characterize the mycorrhizal colonization of Retrophyllum rospigliossi Pilger in the categories of saplings, latizal and fustal, and for this purpose, samples were collected in five georeferenced plots. The roots were colored with trypane blue for the observation of hyphae, vesicles, and shrubs. Soil samples were sifted for spore count. Mycorrhizal structures were found in all three categories, with significant differences for spores and vesicles. The behavior of these per gram of soil was variable (hyphae: 39.2 % to 53 %, spores 30.8 % to 57.6 %, vesicles: 35 % to 51.4 %, shrubs: 0 to 2 %). Colonization of roots ranged from 85 % to 96.2 %. Three mycorrhizal genera were identified: Glomus, Entrophospora and Acaulospora. It is concluded that, for a vegetative propagation of woody species, it is necessary to consider the use of arbuscular mycorrhizae to guarantee an adequate nutrition.

Keywords

• retrophyllum rospigliossi (pilger)
• micorrizas arbusculares
• brinzal
• latizal
• fustal
• colonización.