The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of soil P availability, mycorrhiza and a mycorrhiza stimulatory product (Mycoform) upon growth and initial competition of six sown woody species, in the greenhouse. The species Senna macranthera, Guazuma ulmifolia, Senna multijuga, Solanum granuloso-leprosum, Schinus terebenthifolius and Trema micrantha were sown together in a soil with very low, low and high levels of P in soil solution combined with inoculation treatments of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum, G. etunicatum + Mycoform and a non-inoculated control. Growth response to mycorrhizal inoculation occurred with very low and low phosphorus. The seedlings presented moderate mycorrhizal dependency, because there was no response with high phosphorus. Solanum granuloso-leprosum died with very low P, but was the dominant specie with low and high P, and very responsive to phosphorus. Senna macranthera was dominant only with very low P, indicating that it is quite adapted to low fertility soils. Glomus etunicatum influenced the species dominance, promoting the least competitive species and favoring uniformity in plant growth. Growth, nutrition and competition were little influenced by Mycoform. The growth of pioneer species is favored by increasing P availability and by mycorrhiza which also favores the growth equilibrium between them in mixed and direct seeding on low fertility soil.
mycorrhizal fungi; inoculation; reforestation; tropical forests; fertilizing
