Effect of aluminum and Glomus leptotichus Shenck. & Smith on the development of al-tolerant and intolerante cultivars of Leucaena Leucocephala

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was carryed out to evaluate the mycorrhiza x toxic Al interaction in the substrate using a factorial design 2x2x2. Two cultivars of Leucaena leucocephala; a Al-tolerant (plant 49 - Estrada do Bongue) and another Al-intolerant (NO 749), were grown in washed sand and sterilized with addition of nutrient solution. The mycorrhiza was established with the inoculation of Glomus leptotichum Shenck e Smith and a control plot without VA fungi. It were evaluated two Al levels, 0 and 9 ppm, added to nutrient solution. The plants were harvested at 65 days after seedlings transplantation and shoot height, shoot dry matter weight, root colonization and shoot concentration of N, P, K,Ca, Mg and Al were determined. The following results can be formulated from the experiment herein analyzed: a), there was a plant growth increased and uptake of nutrient promoted by Glomus leptotichum, b) the Al-intolerant cultivar showed greater mycorrhizal dependence and were more benefit, presenting greater shoot dry matter weight and shoot nutrients acumulation. In these experimental conditions there was not significant difference between the Al levels used and also there was not interference in the cultivars growth.