Response of acerola to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under different levels of phosphorus

The acerola fruit (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) is an interesting alternative crop for producers and consumers due to its high ascorbic acid content. The crop can easily adapt to different soil and climatic conditions, however there are few studies related to acerola nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of acerola seedlings, under inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and subjected to levels of phosphorus (P) fertilization. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a randomized factorial design with four treatments of AMF (control without AMF inoculation, Gigaspora margarita, Glomus manihotis and Glomus clarum); and four treatments of phosphorus addition (0, 30, 90, 270 mg kg(-1)), with four replicates. After 120 days, evaluations of plant height, shoot and root dry matter, shoot and root P content, mycorrhizal colonization and sporulation were taken. There was significative effect of AMF inoculation on plant development and plant P content, mainly under low P soil levels. The root colonization and sporulation presented low values due to increasing P levels. Inoculated plants presented higher P use efficiency on the shoot and root systems as well as higher root efficiency, which means, higher P uptake and its transfer to the shoot.