Native Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi improves growth and quality of exotic Swietenia macrophylla King seedlings in nursery

Abstract Aims Exotic tree species to get established outside their place of origin have to form new associations with the local AMF species that are sufficient to compensate the gap that the native AM fungal symbionts provide to them in their place of origin. The present study throws some aspects on the efficacy of three native species of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on growth and seedling quality of Swietenia macrophylla, an exotic to peninsular India. Methods Polybag raised seedlings were inoculated with (Funelliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Rhizophagus proliferus) at different levels (10, 20, and 50 g inoculum per seedling). Results Among the AMF species, seedlings treated with Funelliformis mosseae showed improved growth. The physiological parameters of these seedlings were also good. The mycorrhizal efficiency index (MEI) of seedlings inoculated with Funelliformis mosseae was 58.28%. Root colonization (35.33%) and total pore count was also found to be higher for this mycorrhizal symbiosis. The experiment showed that mycorrhizal association also helped to reduce the nursery period of the inoculated seedlings. Conclusions It was demonstrated that the native AM fungal community can be efficiently used for improving the growth and nutrient status of AM-inoculated mahogany seedlings. Funneliformis mosseae proved to be one such native species of AMF. It also contributed to the increase in the physiological aspects of the mahogany seedlings. If properly managed, the nursery time of the seedlings can be substantially reduced which can bring down the cost of production to a greater extent.