Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi biodiversity: prospecting in Southern-Central zone of Chile. A review

The main factors affecting the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are host plant, environmental characteristics and geographical location. A better understanding of the influence of land use changes on AMF abundance will help in improving their management, leading to improved plant productivity in soils, and will also be useful in designing more sustainable agronomic management practices. The aim of this work was to document the occurrence and diversity of AMF species in the Southern Central zone of Chile. This information has been generated by seven separate studies which provide the basis for discussion of the AMF species found in this zone. The work includes a bibliographic review of the records from croplands, grasslands and forests generated by collections made during the period 2004-2014 in Chile. Overall we recorded 21 genera and 66 species of Glomeromycota. This represents 24% of species of AMF known so far. Acaulospora represents 23% of all species and Glomus 20%. It is concluded that more studies are needed in this and other regions of Chile for a more comprehensive knowledge of the AMF diversity in the country. These biodiversity studies will help to define the ecology of these important soil microbiological resources.