In order to verify the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphate fertilization on the growth of Vochysia maxima (quaruba) seedlings, an experimental trial was carried out under greenhouse conditions. Nine species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs): Gigaspora sp., Acaulospora appendicula, Scutellospora heterogama, Acaulospora sp., Scutellospora sp., Gigaspora margarita, Glomus mosseae, Scutellospora gilmorei and Entrophospora colombiana were tested. The soil inoculation were placed underneath the roots, during the transplanting of seedlings to 200 ml plastic cups, containing fumigated or non-fumigated alic yellow Latosol. After 3 months, the plants were transferred to 2 kg plastic pots, containing the same soil, with or without incorporation of phosphorus (90 mg/dm³ of soil) in the form of mono superphosphate. Growth and nutritional state of the plant were evaluated 12 months after mycorrhizal inoculation. The quaruba seedlings, inoculated or not, grew very little without phosphate fertilization, both in fumigated and non-fumigated soils. With phosphate fertilization, a 76% increment in dry matter production was obtained by inoculation of Glomus mosseae and Gigaspora sp. in fumigated and non-fumigated soil, respectively. Both species also promoted the highest phosphorus accumulation, 71% by Glomus mosseae in fumigated soil and 96% Gigaspora sp. in non-fumigated soil, in relation to the non-inoculated control plants, evidencing that quaruba is a highly phosphorus-requiring plant. Mycorrhizal inoculation with effective species plus phosphate fertilization benefit the growth and phosphorus absorption of the quaruba seedling, even in non-fumigated soil.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; growth; phosphorus absorption
