Effect of Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Three Host Varieties of Caribbean Pine Seedlings

Abstract

Seedlings of three varieties or carihbean pine (Pinus caribaea var hondurensis (PCH), P. caribaea var. bahamensis (PCB) and P. caribaea var. caribaea (PCC) were grown for 16 weeks in the nursery, and inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius, Rhizopogon roseolus, Suillus granulatus and 3 unidentified mycorrhizal fungi. M1, M5 and M8. Isolated from mycorrbizal roots of caribbean pine (P. caribaea). The results indicated that there were large differences in growth, yield and nutrient contents between the three host varieties following inoculation, but fewer differences between the fungi in their effects on growth and nutrient contents of the host species. Seedlings of PCH were significantly taller than, and superior in dry matter and nutrient contents to, those of either PCB or PCC; PCC was consistently poorest in these parameters Significantly more ectomycorrhizas developed on roots of PCB seedling compared with PCH or PCC. Further, as a group the better known mycorrbizal fungi appeared to be superior to the unidentified fungi species in their effects on growth and nutrient contents of host species. The need to inoculate nursery stock with the most beneficial and most effective fungal symbionts is apparent from these results.