PROPAGATION AND MYCORRHIZATION OF NATIVE PLANTS WITH SOIL RESTORATION POTENTIAL

Abstract

The results of propagation and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza of Amelanchier denticulata (“tlaxistle”) and Eysenhardtia polystachya (“palo dulce”), American native plants, which form arbuscular mycorrhiza and commonly grow in Mexico on shallow and nutrient-poor soils are described. Seeds of both species were collected from wild populations in Tlaxcala, and germinated in a vermiculite-peat moss (2:1) mixture. One half of the plants for each species was inoculated with a mix of three arbuscular mycorrhizal strains isolated from Tlaxcala soils: Glomus claroideum, Acaulospora laevis and A. morrowiae. Both plant species showed a good response to propagation with over 40% of germination and 80% of transplantation survival. Mycorrhization was low in both species, less than 10% in sweet stick and less than 20% in “tlaxistle”; however, basal diameter, total height, aerial biomass, and Phosphorus content in mycorrhized plants revealed significant differences (p<0.001) compared to those of non-mycorrhized plants. Other plant quality indicators were also analyzed as related to mycorrhization. It was concluded that propagation from seeds is an appropriated way to obtain seedlings of these two species, and mycorrhization significantly improves development of favorable traits on plants in early stages, keeping good rates of survival and plant growth, which are critical for plants to be used in restoration programs.