EFFECTS OF NATIVE AND INTRODUCED VESICULAR ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ON DEVELOPMENT OF Lotus comiculatus LSUMMARY A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the native MVA fungi, Glomus clarum and Glomus etunicatum on phosphorus uptake and dry matter (DM) production of Lotus corniculatus under natural and modified soil conditions as well as the compability among the introduced and native fMVA species. The soil was a Hapiudalf. The treatments formed a 5x2x2 factorial with tive fMVA (Glomus clarum and Glomus etunicatum), mixture of native fungi plus either one of the two Glomus species and without inoculation; and pH 4.8 and 6.0 and two phosphorus levels, 30 and 90mg/kg of soil with three replications in completely randomized design. Greatest DM production and P accumulation were observed on the treatments with the highest P levels and liming to pH 6.0. Glomus clarum was effectjve and efficient in suppiying P to the plants when grown in soils with low P leveis (5.5ppm Mehlich extractor) and low soil pH (4.5) increasing ) DM production and P accumulation. However, under intermediate P leveis (15ppm Mehlich extractor and pH 4.5), the introduced fungi did not differ fron the control and native fMVA in regard to DM production, however P accumulation was greatest in the treatments that received Glomus clarum under intermediate pH (5.5). At medium P availability the introduced fungi were superior to the control and native fMVA in regard to DM. Higher percent root colonization rates corresponded to greatest DM yields, P accumulation and spore numbers after the crop giving evidence that fMVA introduction is viable when the native species are not efficient to a crop or become unefficient when the natural soil fertility is modified by fertilization or liming.
Native MVA; Glomus clarum; Glomus etunicatum; Lotus corniculatus
