Arbuscular mycorrhizae associated with Júcaro de Ciénaga (Bucida palustris) and Soplillo (Lysiloma latisiliquum) in the Ciénaga de Zapata Biosphere Reserve, Cuba.

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal status of Bucida palustris (júcaro de ciénaga) and Lysiloma latisiliquum (soplillo), distinctive species of swamp forest and semideciduous forest with fluctuating wet in the Biosphere Reserve Zapata Swamp, respectively, was evaluated and characterized. Also, spore density of rizospheric arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were quantified and predominant specie in each case was determined. Both vegetable species were arbuscular mycorrhizic with high average of colonization (> 90 %) and visual density (>25%). The rizospheric spore density Lysiloma latisiliquum associated was almost 2.5 times higher than Bucida palustris and predominant species were Funneliformis halonatus and Racocetra alborosea, respectively. Paris-type morphology was identified in Lysiloma latisiliquum and Arum-type in Bucida palustris. As well as hifal coils and arbuscules that characterized morphological types above described, spores and vesicles were identified in both species. This work constitute the first report of arbuscular mycorrhizal associated with vegetable species in Cuban wetlands. Studies about it functioning and diversity, so as the relation with Cuban plants, particularly endemics and threatened, will permit a better understanding about this symbiosis and will provide the use native mycorrhizae in conservation strategies and sustainable management of plants and ecosystems.