Estudio de la micorriza arbuscular asociada a la palma asaí (euterpe precatoria) establecida en el corregimiento de San Isidro – Buenaventura - Colombia

Abstract

In the Colombian Pacific region, Asaí (Euterpe precatoria) produces fruits of great nutritional value and represents a crucial source of income for local families. Ensuring a sustainable production of this fruit is essential. This study assessed the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the rhizosphere soil of E. precatoria in the San Isidro district, Buenaventura (Colombia). The research was conducted in three main phases. In the first phase, a field visit was carried out to collect soil samples for spore isolation and to gather roots to determine the percentage of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization in the root system. The samples were then taken to the laboratory for the second phase, where spore isolation and counting were performed, along with the evaluation of root colonization percentage. In the third phase, the data were processed for statistical analysis. The total count of AMF spores in the three soil samples was 5,287 spores: 1,769 in sample 1, 1,754 in sample 2, and 1,765 in sample 3, which corresponds to averages of 589.6, 584.6, and 588.3 spores per 20 grams of soil, respectively, or approximately 29 spores per gram. Additionally, 16 different spore morphotypes were identified. Although low mycorrhizal colonization was observed, the abundance of spores suggests significant potential for exploring native AMF in the region. This finding could contribute to the sustainable production of the Asaí palm.