Diversidad e infectividad de hongos micorrícicos arbusculares nativos provenientes de algarrobales del Parque Chaqueño argentino con características edafoclimáticas contrastantes

In severe environments, the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is essential for plant survival and a balanced ecosystem e. The aim of this work was to characterize the mycorrhizal fungi present in algarrobales ( Prosopis alba ) areas of contrasting humid and semi-arid climatic conditions, Colonia Benitez and Padre Lozano respectively, both in the Parque Chaqueno region in Argentina. The Colonia Benitez and Padre Lozano sites showed significant edaphological differences, the most important being the lower content of organic matter and phosphorus, and the higher percentage of exchangeable sodium in Colonia Benitez, associated with a higher infective capacity and greater mycorrhizal potential of inoculum. Only one species was found in both soils: Acaulospora laevis , typical of arid environments. In the inocula, three species were identified in both sites: Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Claroideoglomus etunicatum ; two species were only identified in Colonia Benitez: Septoglomus constrictum and Rhizophagus clarus ; and two species were only identified in Padre Lozano: Claroideoglomus claroideum and Diversispora spurca . This is the first study in Argentina to analyze AMF diversity in Prosopis alba areas (algarrobales) and their infectivity in the soils and their inocula.