Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on early development of persimmon seedlings

The present study evaluated the effects of five species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on vegetative development parameters and nutrient uptake of persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design with six treatments involving AMF inoculation (non-inoculated; Dentiscutata heterogama, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Rhizophagus clarus, Acaulospora scrobiculata and A. morrowiae), in sterile soil (Oxisol – Dystrophic Red Latosol) under greenhouse conditions. Persimmon seeds were germinated in sterile sand and the seedlings were transplanted to the sterile soil and received AMF inocula. After 360 days, the following vegetative parameters were analyzed: plant height, number of leaves, leaf surface area, stem diameter, shoot and root dry mass, percentage of root colonization and nutrient accumulation in shoot and root biomass. We observed different responses to the AMF species tested. Seedling height and leaf surface area were promoted by inoculation with D. heterogama and A. morrowiae, and these species also promoted a higher percentage of root colonization. Plants inoculated with D. heterogama and C. etunicatum presented a greater number of leaves, but only D. heterogama promoted significant increases in stem diameter. Shoot dry mass was improved by inoculation with D. heterogama, A. morrowiae and C. etunicatum, while the first two species and R. clarus increased root dry mass. Nutrient accumulation in shoot and root biomass was stimulated by AMF inoculation, especially by D. heterogama and A. morrowiae. Therefore, the effects on early vegetative development were more pronounced in the persimmon seedlings inoculated with D. heterogama.