Growth and litter decomposition of woody species inoculated with rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Semiarid Brazil

Abstract

Jaíba Project is an irrigation enterprise and its forest reserve is one of the largest protected areas of dry deciduous forest of Caatinga. However, two accidental fires burned about 90% of the area, resulting on the elimination of the trees. This study intended to evaluate the effects of dual inoculation with Rhizobium and mycorrhizal fungi on growth of Anadenanthera peregrina and its contribution to intercropped native species (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. Allem., Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl. and Acacia sp.) and to increase the soil nutrients through litter decomposition as a strategy for the restoration of the reserve. The plants of Anadenanthera peregrina which were inoculated with rhizobia strain BHICB-A10 and associated with AM, showed a significant increase in height and total nitrogen content over that uninoculated plants. In plots where A. peregrina was inoculated, growth and survival of intercropped plants as Myracrodruon urundeuva, were favoured. This result may be explained by the faster decomposition rate of M. urundeuva litter and by the increase of soil nutrients which was related with its lowest lignocellulous content. The mixture of A. peregrina with M. urundeuva was the best model for restoration.