Phosphorus Dependence in Seedlings of a Tropical Pioneer Tree: The Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae

Abstract

In general, according to previous studies, pioneer species do not require arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to increase their growth and survival in tropical systems. The aim of this study was to determine the dependence response to AMF of Heliocarpus appendiculatus, a pioneer species, at different phosphorus (P) levels. In a greenhouse experiment, H. appendiculatus seedlings were grown in pots with a sterile vermiculite-sand mixture (1:1). Two sets of pots were set up: One set was inoculated (150 spores per pot) with indigenous AMF from a tropical rain forest at “Los Tuxtlas” (Veracruz, Mexico); the other set was not inoculated. To each set, 0, 0.02, 0.2, and 2 g L⁻¹P was added. All pots were watered with 250 mL of nutrient solution. Mycorrhizal plants showed a higher total dry weight and relative growth rate in 0.02 g L⁻¹P concentration, while nonmycorrhizal plants responded positively at 0.2 g L⁻¹P; a decrease in plant responses at higher P levels was observed in both treatments. H. appendiculatus showed to have higher relative dependence at lower P concentration (≈50%). As levels of P increased, mycorrhizal colonization decreased. Successful growth of pioneer species during succession process may be improved if there is AMF content in soils, prior to disturbance.

Keywords:

• Arbuscular mycorrhizae
• Heliocarpus appendiculatus
• Mycorrhizal dependency
• Pioneer species
• Tropical rain forest

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Irene Sánchez-Gallén, Yuriana Martínez Orea, and José Ramos-Zapata for their useful comments, and Oswaldo Nuñez-Castillo for field assistance. We also thank David Mitchell for language assistance. This study was supported by project DGAPA IN-207093 from Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.