Aplicacion de fosforo e inoculacion de hongos micorrizicos arbusculares en el crecimiento y estado nutricional de citrus volkameriana Tan & Pasq

Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in agricultural systems, such as fruit nurseries, is of special interest in many regions. In order to use these fungi, it is important to consider management practices, such as phosphate fertilizers applied to fruit crops, which may influence the effectiveness of fungi. This research evaluated the effect of phosphate fertilization on the symbiosis between Citrus volkameriana Tan & Pasq and Glomus Zac-19, regarding growth and plant nutrition (NPK). Seedlings (25 days old) were inoculated with the mycorrhizal consortium Glomus Zac-19 (Gl. claroides Schenck & Smith, Gl. diaphanum Morton & Walker y Gl. albidum Walker & Rhodes) and fertilized with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg P kg(-1) soil; KH2PO4 was used as fertilizer source. A factorial experiment (2 x 6) was established with 12 treatments and eight replicates in a randomized design. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased plant height, stem diameter, accumulated stem growth rate, and total dry matter relative to fertilized plants. In mycorrhizal plants, N and P root concentration and K shoot and root concentrations were significantly increased by P-application. Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation had a relevant role in K uptake by the plant. The combination of mycorrhizal fungi and P showed significant effects on N and P root concentration. P-application did not negatively affect mycorrhizal colonization.