Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonization of <i>Jatropha curcas</i> Roots and Its Impact on Growth and Survival under Greenhouse-Induced Hydric Stress
Laura Yesenia Solís-Ramos,
Antonio Andrade-Torres,
Martin Hassan Polo-Marcial,
Marysol Romero-Ceciliano,
Cristofer Coto López,
Carlos Ávila-Arias,
Keilor Rojas-Jiménez
Affiliations
Laura Yesenia Solís-Ramos
Biotecnología de Plantas y Hongos Micorrícicos Arbusculares (Biotec-PYHMA), Escuela de Biología y Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ecología Tropical (CIBET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
Antonio Andrade-Torres
Biotecnología y Ecología de Organismos Simbióticos, CAUV-173 Ecología y Manejo de la Biodiversidad, INBIOTECA (Instituto de Biotecnología y Ecología Aplicada), Universidad Veracruzana, Av. de las Culturas Veracruzanas No. 101, Col. E. Zapata, Xalapa 91090, Veracruz, Mexico
Martin Hassan Polo-Marcial
Biotecnología y Ecología de Organismos Simbióticos, CAUV-173 Ecología y Manejo de la Biodiversidad, INBIOTECA (Instituto de Biotecnología y Ecología Aplicada), Universidad Veracruzana, Av. de las Culturas Veracruzanas No. 101, Col. E. Zapata, Xalapa 91090, Veracruz, Mexico
Marysol Romero-Ceciliano
Biotecnología de Plantas y Hongos Micorrícicos Arbusculares (Biotec-PYHMA), Escuela de Biología y Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ecología Tropical (CIBET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
Cristofer Coto López
Biotecnología de Plantas y Hongos Micorrícicos Arbusculares (Biotec-PYHMA), Escuela de Biología y Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ecología Tropical (CIBET), Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
Carlos Ávila-Arias
Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Naturales para el Desarrollo, Universidad Nacional, Tecnológico de Costa Rica y Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Heredia 86-3000, Costa Rica
Keilor Rojas-Jiménez
Laboratorio de Genética y Ecología de Microorganismos, Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide benefits to host plants by enhancing nutrition and overall fitness. In this study, AMF species were isolated from the soil rhizosphere of Jatropha curcas and were identified and evaluated for their potential in fostering the development of Jatropha seedlings within a controlled greenhouse environment. The first experiment assessed the interplay between hydric stress and AMF inoculation on mycorrhizal colonization. The next experiment examined the impact of quercetin on mycorrhizal colonization. Out of 204 glomerospores corresponding to 28 species spanning 10 genera, Acaulospora (14) and Scutellospora (5) were the most abundant taxa. Six new records of AMF for Costa Rica are reported. Mycorrhizal colonization was observed in 43.2% of Jatropha plants (34.7% by AMF typical hyphae; arbuscules 8.9%; coils 5.6%; and vesicles 5.4%). Significant survival effects due to AMF inoculation under hydric stress were observed. On day 85, non-mycorrhizal plants subjected to hydric stress showed a mere 30% survival rate, whereas their mycorrhizal counterparts under hydric stress exhibited survival rates of 80% and 100% with and without irrigation, respectively. Furthermore, plants with irrigation and mycorrhizas showed greater hydric stress tolerance and superior growth. The inoculated plants, irrespective of irrigation, demonstrated mycorrhizal colonization rates of 63% and 72%, respectively. Quercetin did not affect Jatropha’s growth, but there were differences in AMF root colonization. In summary, these findings accentuate the viability of a native consortium in augmenting Jatropha survival, warranting consideration as a potent biofertilizer within greenhouse settings. The AMF described can be used for Jatropha propagation programs.
