Abstract

LLANOS-GOMEZ, Kelvin James et al. Morphological identification of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in cocoa plantations in the Amazon region, Peru. Manglar [online]. 2023, vol.20, n.1, pp.7-14.  Epub Apr 01, 2023. ISSN 1816-7667.  http://dx.doi.org/10.57188/manglar.2023.001.

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is native to the Amazon and is frequently associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This association influences nutrient uptake and tolerance to host water stress. However, AMF of cacao have been little studied in Peru. This study aims to identify morphologically the natural diversity of AMF in native cacao plantations in the Amazon region, Peru. Forty-four rhizospheric soil samples were collected in the provinces of Bagua and Utcubamba, the main native fine aroma cacao producing provinces of Peru. We isolated fifty-seven AMF spore morphotypes in terms of size, color and shape. These spores were identified to genus level: Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Funneliformis, Rhizophagus, Scutellospora, Sclerocystis, Diversispora and Rhizoglomus. Glomus and Acaulospora were the most abundant and frequently isolated AMF. The great diversity of AMF found in Bagua and Utcubamba opens a door for further studies of this important group of fungi in cocoa cultivation.

Keywords : Cocoa; Diversity; Mutualism; Root-associated fungi.

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