MYCORRHIZAL ASSOCIATION STUDIES IN SIX NATIVE FORESTRY SPECIES OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE

Mycorrhizal associations could promote plant growth in native forestry species in Rio Grande do Sul State. The aim of this work was to identify mycorrhizal associations in six native forestry species: Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze, Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong, Peltophorum dubium (Spreng) Taub., Tabebuia chrysotricha (Mart. ex DC.) Standl., Tabebuia heptaphylla (Well.) Toledo) and Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J.F. Macbr.). The study was done at Fepagro Forestry - Boca do Monte, Santa Maria, in cultivated and natural forest stands. Roots, fungal fruiting bodies and soil were analyzed in laboratory. Roots were processed and analyzed considering the formation of mycorrhizal association. Ectomycorrhizal fungi growing in the forest areas were identified, isolated and Multiplied. The plants showed no ectomycorrhizal colonization, even though sporocarps of these fungi had been found close to the plants in some sites. The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal was observed in all native forestry species studied.