Identification of ectomycorrhiza species in Eucalyptus grandis fine roots

• Grant number: 14/04479-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Marisa de Cassia Piccolo
• Grantee: Maiele Cintra Santana
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/16623-9 - Ecological intensification of eucalyptus plantations by association of nitrogen fixing leguminous tree species, AP.TEM

Abstract

In Brazil, Eucalyptus plantations currently representing about 5.1 million hectares. Eucalyptus forests require large amounts of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and generally the soils of low natural fertility for planting are used, a correction with the application of fertilizer is needed. However, the application of these inputs becomes a very costly production. In this sense, it is necessary to use less aggressive management techniques to the ground, trying to insert a minimum of mineral fertilizers, thereby optimizing costs and enabling the forest expansion. It is known that the symbiosis between mycorrhizal fungi and fine roots of E. grandis is very important in the nutrition of these plants, having a substantial impact on the dynamics of soil carbon. These fungi act as true extensions of the root system of the plant, increasing the contact area with the ground and driving little moving parts to the plant, such as N and P, increasing the absorption of nutrients and water. The aim of this study is to identify species and / or structures associated with ectomycorrhizal fine roots of E. grandis up to 1 meter deep. The experimental area is located at the Experimental Station of Forest Sciences (ESALQ / USP), in the municipality of Itatinga (SP). 4 replicates will be collected for each sampled soil depth (0-25, 25-50 and 50-100 cm). After selection of fine roots, will be assessed through microscopic structures of ectomycorrhizal colonization, followed by storage of images through computer programs. The results are expressed as a percentage of ectomycorrhizae by root segments analyzed and compared the morphotypes are found in virtual libraries of specialized international institutes.