Abstract

RAMOS MONTANO, CAROLINA; POSADA ALMANZA, RAÚL H; RONDEROS FIGUEROA, MIGUEL A  and  PENAGOS CANON, GUSTAVO A. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MYCORRHIZAL ASSOCIATION WITH THE STATE WOODY PLANT HEALTH IN THE CITY OF BOGOTA DC. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2010, vol.15, n.1, pp.245-258. ISSN 0120-548X.

Spore number and root infection by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were evaluated in Eugenia myrtifolia, Ficus soatensis and Croton bogotensis, in parks and green zones of urban woodlands of Bogotá DC . The aim was to investigate relations between mycorrhizal associations and tree phyto-sanitary conditions, and effects of two distinct climatic zones. It was demonstrated that plant species and climate are significant sources of variations in the general mycorrhizal state. Eugenia myrtifolia showed the highest degree of root colonization but the lowest number of spores, while C. bogotensis had the opposite response. In general, dry environments favored the mycorrhizal infection levels. By considering overall data, there was a positive relation between the general phytosanitary status of the urban trees and the mycorrhizal colonization. The evaluation of the relationship with the incidence of specific foliar symptoms showed that chlorosis, bight and herbivory maintained a negative relation with the mycorrhization in E. myrtifolia and C. bogotensis. Results suggest that association with AM fungi helps in any way for reducing those symptoms, showing an important strategy to improve the sanity of urban trees.

Keywords : Arbuscular mycorrhiza; Eugenia myrtifolia; Ficus soatensis; Croton bogotensis; spores density; root colonization; foliar symptoms; climatic urban zones.

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