Abstract
The mycorrhizal status of epiphytic, rupicolous, and terrestrial bromeliad species from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest has been examined. Roots of 13 species of bromeliads were analyzed for the presence of mycorrhizal structures such as arbuscules, hyphae, and vesicles as well as other fungal structures. Rhizosphere soil was sampled to identify arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) species associated only with terrestrial bromeliad species. Most specimens collected were epiphytic bromeliads in the genera Aechmea, Bilbergia, Nidularium, Tillandsia, and Vriesea. Differentiating structures of AMF were found in only three species of bromeliads. The pattern of mycorrhizal colonization was mainly internal, and external mycelium and arbuscules were observed only in the terrestrial Nidularium procerum. Root endophytes with dark brown septate mycelium, thin external hyphae, and Rhizoctonia-like sclerotia were also detected in some root segments. A total of ten spore morphotypes were recovered from the rhizosphere of N. procerum, with Acaulospora mellea, A. foveata, and Glomus sp. being the most common species recovered. Our study demonstrated that most of the epiphytic species are not associated with AMF. We attribute this mainly to the exposed bare root conditions found in epiphytic bromeliads.
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Acknowledgment
This work is part of the requirements of the senior author for a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. The authors are grateful to the PIBIC/CNPq and PIBIC/FURB Program for assistantship provided to CRG. We are in debt with the municipality of Indaial City for giving permission to sample in Morro Geisler and to the municipality of Blumenau for the permission to sample in Parque São Francisco de Assis. We thank Dr. R. Pescador and Dr. A. Uhlmann for their editorial comments in early versions of this manuscript. We also thank Marta Helena Caetano for reviewing the English.
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Grippa, C.R., Hoeltgebaum, M.P. & Stürmer, S.L. Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in bromeliad species from the tropical Atlantic forest biome in Brazil. Mycorrhiza 17, 235–240 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-006-0090-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-006-0090-5