Enhancing morphophysiological traits by inoculating a neotropical pine (Pinus teocote) with edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms grown in environmentally friendly substrates
Aim of study: To evaluate the effect of inoculating Pinus teocote Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. plants, a neotropical pine species highly resilient to stress conditions, with two edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, Laccaria proxima (Boud.) Pat. and Suillus pungens Thiers & A.H.Sm., on their growth and physiological quality. The plants were grown in different environmentally friendly substrate combinations. Area of study: Bioassays were conducted in the greenhouses of the Colegio de Postgraduados in Texcoco, Mexico. Material and methods: The influence of L. proxima and S. pungens on P. teocote was assessed through growth and physiological parameters using three distinct substrate formulations, two of which incorporated mixtures of sawdust and compost. The evaluated variables included plant biomass, photosynthesis, transpiration, chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll content, as well as carotenoids and ectomycorrhizal colonization, measured 570 days after sowing. Main results: High ectomycorrhizal colonization, exceeding 84%, was recorded in the plants grown in sawdust and compost mixtures. Additionally, increases in biomass and physiological quality were observed in these plants compared to non-inoculated plants. Depending on the substrate mixtures evaluated, the inoculation with S. pungens produced higher transpiration and chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content than that with L. proxima. Research highlights: It was demonstrated that the production of ectomycorrhizal Pinus teocote plants in greenhouse, with high morphophysiological quality and elevated mycorrhization rates, is feasible when using environmentally friendly substrates.