Effect of seasonality in the community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a forest fragment of Mata de Cipóin Vitória da Conquista, Bahia

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are obligate symbionts of plants that occur in the most forestecosystems, being influenced by various environmental variables. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectof annual seasonality on the community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a fragment of semideciduous forest. The study wasconducted in a fragment located at coordinates 14º52’46’’S / 40°47’34’’W, in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. Sixteen soil sampleswere randomly collected at a depth of 0-5 cm at spring, summer, autumn and winter. The spores were extracted, counted andidentified. The number of spores and species diversity of AMF were influenced by seasonality, being these variables closelyrelated to precipitation. Concerning to clear sensitivity of the AMF communities to climatic changes coming from seasonality,we stressed the importance of conducting various assessments throughout the year.