Background.

All of the Pinaceae require the ectomycorrhizal interaction to survive under field conditions. However, their use has not traditionally been considered in the production of forest plants in Neotropical areas.

Hypothesis.

There will be an increase in plant quality in greenhouse and in survival in the field of Pinus pringlei inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF).

Site of study.

The experiment was carried out in Texcoco, Mexico, in two sites: i) greenhouse of the Colegio de Postgraduados; and ii) in the field, in the San Pablo Ixayoc town.

Methods.

P. pringlei plants, a native species of Mexico, were inoculated with the ECMF: i) Hebeloma alpinum (Ha); ii) Laccaria trichodermophora (Lt); and iii) Thelephora terrestris (Tt). The effect of this inoculation on plant growth and nutritient translocation was evaluated. A morphological and molecular characterization of ectomycorrhizal roots and an evaluation of the seedling field survival were carried out, and compared with non-inoculated plants.

Results.

Pinus pringlei plants inoculated with ECMF increased their growth and nutrient content. A significant nutritional allocation from root to stem mainly of K, Fe, and Zn was recorded.

The morpho-anatomical and molecular characterization showed the presence of Ha, Lt and Tt in ectomycorrhizal roots. Two-year old plants mainly inoculated with Ha and Tt showed higher survival in the field than non-inoculated plants.

Conclusions.

The beneficial effects of ECMF on P. pringlei growth, nutrimental translocation (mainly on K, Fe and Zn), and field survival rates are reported for the first time.

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