Inoculation of mycorrhiza fungi in seeds of two accesses of papaya for seedling production

Abstract

The objective of this work was to study the initial development of two accesses of papaya (Carica papaya L.) seeds inoculated with different doses of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF). Seeds of the two accesses (CMF-L52 and CMF-L53) were inoculated with the AMF Glomus fasciculatum in three doses (0, 1.0 and 2.0 g to 10.0 g of seeds) and seeded in polystyrene trays. Thirty days after sowing the following variables were analysed: diameter of the stalk (close to ground), number of leaves, length and dry weight of aerial parts, root and total. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with four replications of 16 plants, in 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. The data were submitted to the analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. The access CMF-L52 showed better root development, while the accesses CMF-L53 obtained higher aerial part production. The dose of 1.0 g was sufficient to promote increase in the root production. For the aerial parts there was benefit, only with the dose 2.0 g. It follows then that papaya seedlings of both accesses showed differences in initial growth, with significant benefits for both accesses when there was inoculation with 2.0 g of AMF for 10.0 g of seeds.