Effects of endomycorrhizal development and light regimes on the growth of Dicorynia guianensis Amshoff seedlings

Abstract

The influence of mycorrhizal infection rate and light environment on growth traits was examined for 50-week-old Dicorynia guianensis Amshoff tree seedlings. The seedlings were grown on two soil substrates (control and inoculated) in shade tunnels under three relative light levels (50%, 14% and 1% of full sunshine). For seedlings growing under 1% of full sunlight no significant differences between control and inoculated plants were observed in plant traits though a high rate of endomycorrhizal infection was recorded. In partial shaded sunlight, 14% and 50%, the rate of mycorrhizal infection was positively related to the growth performances of seedlings. The optimal growth was obtained under 14% of full sunlight, showing a greater efficiency of the mycorrhizas.