ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND FERTILIZATION IN Heliconia psittacorum L. F. × H. spathocircinata CV. TROPICS

Abstract

Heliconia psittacorum L. f. × H. spathocircinata is an ornamental plant that is highly demanded nationally and internationally. One of the most important factors in the vegetative growth of heliconia plants is the provision of macronutrients, which have an important influence on yield and quality of flowers. Heliconia cv. Tropics was established in an open field plantation under an arrangement of 1 m between rows and 1.5 m between plants to separately evaluate the effect of the inoculation of 350 spores of Entrophospora colombiana and Funneliformis mosseae per plant on the vegetative growth of the plants. At the time of planting fertilization was applied in doses of 100-0-150, 100-30-150 and 100-60-150 kg ha^-1 of N-P-K. Results showed that E. colombiana + 100-30-150 N-P-K stimulated the vegetative growth of Heliconia cv. Tropics; plant height, stem diameter, number of shoots, leaf area, chlorophyll content and root dry weight increased compared to the control. The dose 100-0-150 N-P-K significantly increased aerial dry weight, root dry weight and total dry matter. Results showed that E. colombiana was not as effective in the mycorrhizal colonization of the root system of heliconia plants compared to F. mosseae, which induced the highest rates. It was found that E. colombiana produced significantly more spores (1240) compared to F. mosseae (753); it was also observed that at higher concentration of P in fertilization the number of spores of E. colombiana decreased proportionally, while with F. mosseae the response was different. It is concluded that the inoculation with E. colombiana along with a fertilization dose of 100-30-150 NPK has greater potential to increase the production of Heliconia cv. Tropics.