TITLE:
The Effectiveness of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Bio-Compost Addition for Enhancing Reforestation with Argania spinosa in Morocco
AUTHORS:
Said El Mrabet, Lahcen Ouahmane, Abdelhamid El Mousadik, Fouad Msanda, Younes Abbas
KEYWORDS:
Argania spinosa; Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi; Bio-Compost; Regeneration
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
8,
2014
ABSTRACT: A field experiment was carried out in arid area to assess the influence of mycorrhizal inoculation with a native complex and bio-compost addition on establishment of Argania spinosa. The experimental area was located in the Admine forest at Agadir (Southwestern Morocco). The results showed a positive effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the growth of Argania spinosa seedlings in the nursery. Six months after planting, the mycorrhizal complex revealed an increase in the growth of Argan seedlings (51%) compared to non mycorrhizal plants. In the field conditions, after one year of transplantation, this benefit was maintained. Results showed that the height of Argan seedlings treated with AMF was double that of the control group. An additional positive effect of inoculation with AMF on plant biomass was observed and it was closely related to colonization by these microorganisms. There was an estimated 169% increase in biomass compared to control plants. The use of bio-compost alone or in combination with AMF improved the production of shoot biomass of Argan plants (84% and 108% respectively compared to control plants). In addition, AMF improved the survival rate and the contents of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the tissues of A. spinosa plants. A significant positive correlation between dry biomass and nutrient content in plant tissue was detected. The content of (P) in the leaves and roots of inoculated plants was higher than those in non-inoculated and planted seedlings in amended soils. This result reaffirms the prime necessity of mycorrhiza in arid conditions. Thus the introduction of mycorrhizal fungi in forest nurseries is a key tool to improve the quality of seedlings produced and their resistance in reforestation sites.