Uso de hongos micorrízicos arbusculares asociados naturalmente a tres especies forestales.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soil microorganisms that form symbiosis with 80% of
terrestrial plants, forming arbuscules, vesicles and hyphae, depending on the species, inside the
cortical cells of the plants they colonize. Mycorrhizae promote a structural and functional integration
between both organisms that translates into a synergy of great relevance in aspects such as
nutrition, health, productivity, and adaptability of plants to environmental conditions. The benefits of
this symbiosis in general have been well documented; however, detailed studies on the abundance,
diversity, and relationship of AMF with the most important species for forest and agroforestry
production in the tropics are limited. Usually, forestry production systems in the tropics are
established mainly on marginal sites, pastures or abandoned agricultural areas, so most of these
soils present nutrient deficiencies for plants, toxicity of elements and/or high phosphorus fixation
capacity. These deficiencies result in high plant vulnerability to pests and diseases. In the case of
Cedrela odorata (bitter cedar), Swietennia macrophylla (mahogany) and Cordia alliodora (laurel),
their use in reforestation has been limited and few efforts have been made to find methods to ensure
their initial establishment and optimal development. In meliaceae, the main problem worldwide is
the pest Hypsipyla grandella Zeller, commonly known as the meliaceae shoot borer, and laurel,
apart from presenting a slow initial growth response, has been attacked by the pest Dictyla
monotropidia or lace bug, which is why reforestation with these species has decreased in Costa
Rica. This research seeks to identify mycorrhizal strains naturally associated with mahogany, bitter
cedar, and laurel, with their identification, characterization, isolation, inoculation method and tests
of their benefits, particularly resistance to pests, in nursery and field; it is intended to develop a line
of research and development in the use of mycorrhizae as a strategy to promote reforestation with
these three species that are of medium and high value in the timber market. Likewise, this line of
research is congruent with the fulfillment of Goal 15 and targets 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4 and 15.6,
and the goal 9 with the target 9.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 2018-2050
decarbonization plan, the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+)
strategy and Executive Decree 41772-MINAE, Guiding Principles for the Productive Forestry
Sector.

Determinar el efecto de hongos micorrízicos arbusculares
(HMA) asociados a árboles de caoba, cedro y laurel en el desempeño inicial de cada
especie.

EIFO: Productividad y calidad de plantaciones forestales
EB: Biotecnología ambiental