Mobilization and transfer of nine macro-and micronutrients to Pinus greggii seedlings via arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Traditionally, it is thought that arbuscular mycorrhizae establish a symbiosis with the roots of numerous angiosperm and some gymnosperm families. However, the mobilization and transfer of macro- and micronutrients to Pinaceae via arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has not been reported so far. The present work evaluated whether arbuscular mycorrhizae are able to establish, mobilize, and transfer nutrients in the neotropical species of Pinaceae, Pinus greggii. Seedlings were inoculated with 3 AMF consortia isolated from an agricultural site, a Cupressus lusitanica forest and a Pinus hartwegii forest. Evidence of mobilization and transfer of macro- and micronutrients in plants inoculated with the 3 consortia was evaluated. A greater Mg, Mn, and Zn mobilization and transfer was observed in plants inoculated with the pine forest AMF consortium after 7 months. In addition to these positive effects, AMF root colonization of 10 to 15% and 21 to 36% was observed depending on the AMF consortia after 2 and 7 months. In the present work, we report for the first time that AMF mobilize and transfer N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B to a member of Pinaceae, indicating that this mycorrhizal symbiosis is more complex than previously believed.