Influence of the fertilization regime and the time of inoculum application in the mycorrhization rate of Pinus ponderosa in nursery

Abstract

This paper has the objective to evaluate mycorrhizal colonization percentages and seedling growth of inoculated Pinus ponderosa seedlings, applying Rhizopogon roseolus spores, three fertilization levels, two inoculation moments (two weeks and 4 months after sowing), and two harvest moments (eight months after sowing and after a two months period under low fertilization, called “lethargy”, 10 months after sowing). It was found that the incorporation of the “lethargy” period significantly increased mycorrhization. Both variation in fertilization levels and different inoculation moments did not produce significant differences in mycorrhization percentages, under the traditional production regime.