Abstract

SANTIAGO, Rocío et al. Interactions of the lichen Cladonia salzmannii Nyl. with soil, microbiota, mycorrhizae and Genipa Americana. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. [online]. 2018, vol.18, n.3, pp.833-850. ISSN 0718-9516.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-95162018005002402.

The lichen Cladonia salzmannii can influence the arbuscular mycorrhizal formation (AMF) of sandy soils in the Brazilian Northeast, thereby contributing to improved vascular plant growth. The objective of this work was to evaluate how C. salzmannii changes the biological processes of soil in a tropical savannah ecosystem where soils have low nutrient availability, so any lichen-induced effects would be important. The microbial activity, AMF, growth of Genipa americana and chemical-physical characteristics of the soil were analyzed. Soil samples were collected under pillows of lichen thalli or in open spaces without them. Chemical and biological soil attributes were evaluated by analysis of soluble and exchangeable cations, microbial activity and AMF colonization. The presence of barbatic acid (BAR), a major compound of C. salzmannii, was detected in the soil, which positively influenced soil properties. AMF colonization was higher in lichen-covered soil. G. americana seedlings were grown under greenhouse conditions, the experiment was done in a randomized design of 4 inoculation treatments. The inoculated plants with lichens+AMF presented greater growth parameters. The results could indicate that BAR is capable of stimulating the association between plants and AMF, linking the root and the soil system. This arrangement improves a positive feedback loop established between lichen-AMF-vascular plant.

Keywords : lichen substance; barbatic acid; cerrado biome; Glomeromycotina growth; Rubiaceae.

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