Abstract

(Introduction):  The mycorrhizal association is a nutritional strategy that some plants and mushrooms have developed that assures them a mutual benefit.

(Objective):  To evaluate the effect of the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strains (AMF) in the growth and quality of Swietenia mahagoni L. Jacq. seedlings, produced with organic substrates.

(Methodology):  It was carried out an investigation at the Forestry Technology Study Center of Guantánamo University from January to April 2019. A complete random block design was utilized to study the combinations of two factors: two substrates (cocoa husk + coconut fiber + pine sawdust in proportions 6:2:2 and 2:6:2) and AMF strains (Glomus cubense, Rhizophagus intraradices, Funneliformis mosseae and without inoculation). Seedling total height, stem diameter, leaf area, aerial and root dry biomass, height/diameter ratio, Dickson Index, mycorrhizal colonization and a quality index were utilized as response variables.

(Results):  Significant interactions for all variables studied were determined (p ≤ 0,001) among the studied factors. There was a differentiate effect of the mycorrhizal in the growth of Antillean mahogany seedlings. The mycorrhizal strains Glomus cubense, Rhizophagus intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae, in the second substrate (60 % coconut fiber) promoted a significant growth increment, as well as a major seedling quality.

(Conclusions):  It is evident the effect of the mycorrhizal association in the production and quality of Swietenia mahagoni seedlings for the establishment of plantations.

Keywords: Biofertilizers; mycorrhiza; nursery; seedling.