Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) linked to Peumus boldus natural formation in Central Chile

Abstract

The positive contribution of tree-related mycorrhizae in the soil to plant ecosystems is well known, through symbiotic relationships. The regeneration and establishment of Peumus boldus (boldo), an endemic species of major economic and environmental relevance in Chile, is a complicated natural process, and the identification of tree-related mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represents an important contribution to the recovery of native forest formations. The present study is a quantitative description of AMF, within natural boldo formations in central Chile. Twenty-three AMF species of several families --Acaulosporaceae (Acaulospora), Entrophosporaceae (Entrophospora), Glomeraceae (Funneliformis, Glomus, Rhizophagus, and Sclerocystis) and Paraglomeraceae (Paraglomus aff. Laccatum) -- were identified. Among these species, Funneliformis badius and Funneliformis constrictus were present at all sites. Likewise, Simpson index generally shows a high dominance of AMF species at all six studied sites. Shannon index, however, indicated that there is low species diversity. This study will serve as a basis to optimize boldo’s establishment techniques, by knowing which types of AMF can improve the success of the survival and development of the species, either in the form of commercial plantation or natural sclerophyllous forest.