ASSESSMENT OF MYCORRHIZAL INTERACTION IN OLIVE TREE (Olea europea L.) CULTIVARS

Most studies on olive trees in Brazil and in the world have focused on yield and management. Despite the importance for plant growth and resistance to various stresses, there are no studies on the occurrence of mycorrhizal association in olive trees, in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mycorrhizal interaction in olive trees on, the Fazenda Experimental de Maria da Fe - MG (FEMF - EPAMIG), underlying the production of commercial inoculants of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for olive. Soil and roots samples of seven olive tree cultivars were collected to determine the length of active extraradical and total mycelium, and the rate and intensity of mycorrhizal colonization and spore density and diversity. Form the rhizosphere of the olive trees, nine AMF species were isolated (Acaulospora denticulata, Acaulospora scrobiculata, Acaulospora sp1, Acaulospora sp2, Entrophospora sp1, Gigaspora sp1, Glomus mosseae, Scutellospora pellucida and Scutellospora sp1). The results confirmed the mycotrophism of the species. However, no effect of cultivars was observed on the distribution of AMF propagules, which were evenly distributed in the different rhizospheres.