Mycorrhiza of plants in different vegetation types in tropical ecosystems of Xishuangbanna,southwest China

We examined plants growing in four tropical vegetation types (primary forest, secondary forest, limestone forest and a slash and burn field) in Xishuangbanna, southwest China for mycorrhizal associations. Of the 103 plant species examined (belonging to 47 families), 81 had arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) associations, while three species possessed orchid mycorrhiza. AM colonization levels ranged between 6% and 91% and spore numbers ranged between 1.36 spores and 25.71 spores per 10 g soil. Mean AM colonization level was higher in primary and secondary forest species than in plant species from limestone forests and a slash and burn field. In contrast, mean AM fungal spore numbers of the primary and limestone forest were lower than in the secondary forest or the slash and burn field. AM fungal spores belonging to Glomus and Acaulospora were the most frequent in soils of Xishuangbanna. AM fungal colonization and spore numbers were significantly correlated to each other and were significantly influenced by vegetation type.     

Occurrence and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species in three types of grassland community of the Tibetan Plateau

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal spore communities and distribution patterns were surveyed in montane scrub grassland, alpine steppe, and alpine meadow sites at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 5,200 m a.s.l. on the Tibetan Plateau. Thirty-two representative soil samples were collected from the root zone of the dominant and common plant species in late May 2004. Twenty-three AM fungal species representing six genera (Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Glomus, Pacispora, Paraglomus, and Scutellospora) were detected and species richness varied from 5.3 ± 0.8 to 10.5 ± 2.5 per site. Some AM fungal species were restricted to one vegetation type and Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices, and Scutellospora calospora were detected in all three vegetation types. Glomus species were found to be the most frequent and abundant in all three vegetation types. Acaulospora occurred mostly in the alpine steppe and alpine meadow. Scutellospora occurred mostly in montane scrub grassland. At the species level, Glomus mosseae was dominant in the montane scrub, Acaulospora laevis and Pacispora scintillans were dominant in the alpine steppe, and Acaulospora laevis, Pacispora scintillans, and Glomus claroideum dominated the alpine meadow. It was evident from the distribution pattern of AM fungi in the different vegetation types that the abundance and diversity of AM fungal species were lowest in the montane scrub grassland than the other two plant communities. Climatic conditions, especially temperatures, and intensity of land use may be the most important factors influencing the AM fungal community.     

Mycorrhizal and dark septate fungal associations in shola species of Western Ghats, southern India

We analyzed mycorrhizal types and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungal associations in a shola vegetation of Western Ghats region, southern India. Plants belonging to 29 species of 19 families were assessed for mycorrhizal type and DSE fungal association. Five mycorrhizal classes were classified based on morphological traits: arbuscular, ecto-, ectendo-, ericoid-, and orchid mycorrhizas. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association was the most predominant mycorrhizal type, occurring in 16 plant species, followed by orchid (3 species), ericoid- (2 species), and ecto- and ectendomycorrhizas (1 species each). Mycorrhizal association is reported for the first time in 19 plant species. DSE fungal association was found in six plant species. Arum- and Paris-type AM morphology was found, respectively, in 10 and 5 plant species, with intermediate type recorded in one species. In this study, some new records on the morphological types of AM in some plant families were obtained. Further occurrence of ectendomycorrhizas in Pinus oocarpa and dark septate fungal association in Eleaocarpus munronii, Symplocos cochinchiensis, Daphniphyllum neilgherrense, Euodia roxburghiana, Syzygium arnottianum, and Syzygium montanum are reported for the first time. Roots of Berberis tinctoria, Mahonia leschenaultii (Berberidaceae), Elaeagnus latifolia (Elaeagnaceae), and Elaeocarpus oblongus (Elaeocarpaceae) lacked any fungal structures.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal soil infectivity and spores distribution across plantations of tropical,subtropical and exotic tree species: a case study from the forest reserve of Bandia,Senegal

Several fast‐growing and multipurpose trees such as exotic and valuable native species have been widely used in West Africa to reverse the tendency of massive degradation of plant cover and restore soil productivity. Although benefic effects have been reported on soil stabilization, a lack of information about their impact on soil symbiotic microorganisms still remains. This investigation has been carried out in field trees of 28 years old in a forest reserve at Bandia. To determine the mycorrhizal inoculum potential (MIP) of soils, a mycorrhizal bioassay was conducted using seedlings of Zea mays L. Spores concentration, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi morphotypes and mycorrhizal colonization of field plants were examined. Results showed that fungal communities were dominated in all samples by the genus Glomus. Nevertheless, the others genera Gigaspora and Scutellospora occurred preferentially out of the plantations. The number and richness of spores as well as the MIP of soils were decreased in the tree plantations. Accordingly, the amount of annual herbaceous plants kept out of the tree plantations was much greater than those under the tree plantations. The colonization was higher in field root systems of herb plants in comparison with that of the tree plants. Comparisons allowed us to conclude that vegetation type modifies the AM fungal communities, and the results suggest further adoption of management practices that could improve or sustain the development of herbaceous layers and thus promote the AM fungal communities.     

The best for the guest: high Andean nurse cushions of Azorella madreporica enhance arbuscular mycorrhizal status in associated plant species

Positive interactions between cushion plant and associated plants species in the high Andes of central Chile should also include the effects of fungal root symbionts. We hypothesized that higher colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi exists in cushion-associated (nursling) plants compared with conspecific individuals growing on bare ground. We assessed the AM status of Andean plants at two sites at different altitudes (3,200 and 3,600 m a.s.l.) in 23 species, particularly in cushions of Azorella madreporica and five associated plants; additionally, AM fungal spores were retrieved from soil outside and beneath cushions. 18 of the 23 examined plant species presented diagnostic structures of arbuscular mycorrhiza; most of them were also colonized by dark-septate endophytes. Mycorrhization of A. madreporica cushions showed differences between both sites (68% and 32%, respectively). In the native species Hordeum comosum, Nastanthus agglomeratus, and Phacelia secunda associated to A. madreporica, mycorrhization was six times higher than in the same species growing dispersed on bare ground at 3,600 m a.s.l., but mycorrhiza development was less cushion dependent in the alien plants Cerastium arvense and Taraxacum officinale at both sites. The ratio of AM fungal spores beneath versus outside cushions was also 6:1. The common and abundant presence of AM in cushion communities at high altitudes emphasizes the importance of the fungal root symbionts in such situations where plant species benefit from the microclimatic conditions generated by the cushion and also from well-developed mycorrhizal networks.     

Complexity of Semiarid Gypsophilous Shrub Communities Mediates the AMF Biodiversity at the Plant Species Level

The community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was analyzed in roots of Gypsophila struthium growing in gypsum soils under semiarid conditions. In order to investigate the effect of plant community degradation on the AMF biodiversity at the single species level, on the basis of the plant community complexity level, we selected four areas affected by degradation and shrub species spatial heterogeneity. The AM fungal community colonizing G. struthium was investigated from the morphological and molecular points of view. All plants were well colonized and showed a high level of infective AM propagules. Roots were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism screening, and sequence analyses of the ribosomal DNA small subunit region. Four AM fungal types were identified and clustered into the AM fungal family: Glomeraceae, Glomus being the only taxon present. One fungal type was present in all the selected areas. Two fungal types are distinct from any previously published sequences and could be specific to gypsum soils. The chemical–physical properties of the soil were not correlated with the AMF diversity in roots. Our data show vegetation cover complexity-dependent differences in the AM fungal community composition.     

Morphology and colonization preference of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clethra barbinervis</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycopersicon esculentum</Emphasis>

Clethra barbinervis (Ericales), Cucumis sativus, and Lycopersicon esculentum were grown in soils collected from six different vegetation sites (cedar, cypress, larch, red pine, bamboo grass, and Italian ryegrass), and morphology and colonization preference of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were investigated by microscopic observation and PCR detection. C. barbinervis consistently formed Paris-type AM throughout the sites. C. sativus formed both Arum- and Paris-type AM with high occurrence of Arum-type AM. L. esculentum also formed both Arum- and Paris-type AM but with high occurrence of Paris-type AM. AM diversity within the same plant species was different among the sites. Detected AM diversity from AM spores in different site soils did not consistently reflect AM fungal diversity seen in test plants. Detected families were different, depending on test plants grown even in the same soil. AM fungi belonging to Glomaceae were consistently detected from roots of all test plants throughout the sites. Almost all the families were detected from roots of C. barbinervis and L. esculentum. On the other hand, only two or three families of AM fungi (Archaeosporaceae and/or Paraglomaceae and Glomaceae) but not two other families (Acaulosporaceae and Gigasporaceae) were detected from roots of C. sativus, indicating strong colonization preference of AM fungi to C. sativus among test plants. This study demonstrated that host plant species strongly influenced the colonization preference of AM fungi in the roots.     

A preliminary survey of the arbuscular mycorrhizal status of grassland plants in southern Tibet

We report for the first time the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of native plant species and AM fungal diversity in the grasslands of southern Tibet. A total of 51 soil samples were collected from the rhizospheres of the dominant plant species, and AM fungal structures were observed in 18 (82%) of 22 plant species examined. Vesicles and aseptate hyphae were the structures most frequently observed in the plant roots. After trap culture for 5 months, 25 AM fungal taxa were identified in the soil samples collected, of which nine belonged to Glomus, ten to Acaulospora, one to Entrophospora and five to Scutellospora. The frequency of occurrence of different genera and species varied greatly. Glomus was the dominant genus, and the most frequent and abundant species was Glomus mosseae. Over the whole sampling area, spore density in the rhizosphere soil of different host plant species ranged from 2 to 66 per 20 g air-dried soil. Overall AM fungal species richness was 2.10 and species diversity was 2.35. AM fungal diversity was also compared among the four different land use types (farmland and normal, disturbed and highly disturbed montane scrub grassland). Spore densities in the farmland and normal grassland were much higher than in the grasslands that had been degraded to varying degrees. The species richness in normal grassland was the highest of the four land use types examined. Species diversity varied from 1.99 to 0.94 and was highest in normal grassland, intermediate in degraded grassland and farmland, and lowest in the highly disturbed grassland.     

Response of native soil microbial functions to the controlled mycorrhization of an exotic tree legume, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia holosericea</Emphasis> in a Sahelian ecosystem

Fifty years of overexploitation have disturbed most forests within Sahelian areas. Exotic fast growing trees (i.e., Australian Acacia species) have subsequently been introduced for soil improvement and fuelwood production purposes. Additionally, rhizobial or mycorrhizal symbioses have sometimes been favored by means of controlled inoculations to increase the performance of these exotic trees in such arid and semiarid zones. Large-scale anthropogenic introduction of exotic plants could also threaten the native biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. We carried out an experimental reforestation in Burkina Faso in order to study the effects of Acacia holosericea mycorrhizal inoculation on the soil nutrient content, microbial soil functionalities and mycorrhizal soil potential. Treatments consisted of uninoculated A. holosericea, preplanting fertilizer application and arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation with Glomus intraradices. Our results showed that (i) arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation and prefertilizer application significantly improved A. holosericea growth after 4 years of plantation and (ii) the introduction of A. holosericea trees significantly modified soil microbial functions. The results clearly showed that the use of exotic tree legume species should be directly responsible for important changes in soil microbiota with great disturbances in essential functions driven by microbial communities (e.g., catabolic diversity and C cycling, phosphatase activity and P availability). They also highlighted the importance of AM symbiosis in the functioning of soils and forest plantation performances. The AM effect on soil functions was significantly correlated with the enhanced mycorrhizal soil potential recorded in the AM inoculation treatment.     

AM Fungal Diversity in Selected Medicinal Plants of Kanyakumari District,Tamil Nadu,India

The association of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) with three medicinally important plants viz., Eclipta prostrata, Indigofera aspalathoides, I. tinctoria collected from three different localities of Kanyakumari District, South India was examined. The study reports the colonization percentage, diversity and species richness of different AM fungi in the rhizosphere of the three medicinal plants and discusses the impact of soil physicochemical characteristics such as soil texture, pH and available macro- and micro nutrient content on AM fungal communities. A total 21 AM fungal species were identified in field conditions of the three plants from three sites. AM fungal species richness, colorization percentage and Shannon index were found to be high in the two Indigofera sp. growing in the hilly areas of Kanyakumari District and were low in E. prostrata collected from the damp regions in the foothills of the three study sites. Five species registered 100% frequency in all the study sites of the three medicinally important plants with Glomus as the dominant genera. The study states that the mean colonization and diversity patterns were dependant on edaphic factors and type of vegetation.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in association with aquatic and marshy plant species in Goa,India

Of the 20 plant species of hydrophytes screened for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungal root colonization, 10 aquatic plants (out of 14 species) and five marshy plants (out of six species) were found to be mycorrhizal, while the remaining species were non mycorrhizal. Vesicular colonization occurred in 12 plant species while arbuscular colonization was restricted to only three plant species. A rooted submerged pteridophyte viz., Isoetes coromandelina L. was found to be mycorrhizal exhibiting vesicular colonization. In all, two genera viz., Glomus and Scutellospora, the former being dominant, were recorded. The most common AM fungal species Glomus claroideum was recovered from 14 plant species.     

Metal concentrations and mycorrhizal status of plants colonizing copper mine tailings: potential for revegetation

A field survey of metal concentrations and mycorrhizal status of plants growing on copper mine tailings was conducted in Anhui Province, China. Available phosphorus and organic matter in the tailings were very low. High concentrations of Pb, Zn, As and Cd as well as Cu were observed on some sites. The dominant plants growing on mine tailings belonged to the families Gramineae and Compositae, and the most widely distributed plant species wereImperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon andPaspalum distichum. Coreopsis drummondii also grew well on the arid sites but not on wet sites. Very low or zero arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal colonization was observed in most of the plants, but extensive mycorrhizal colonization was recorded in the roots ofC. drummondii andC. dactylon. Metal concentrations in plant tissues indicated that /.cylindrica andP. distichum utilized avoidance mechanisms to survive at high metal concentrations. The investigation suggests that remediation and revegetation of heavy metal contaminated sites might be facilitated by selection of tolerant plant species. Isolation of tolerant AM fungi may also be warranted.     

Relationships between soil heavy metal concentration and mycorrhizal colonisation in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Thymus polytrichus</Emphasis> in northern England

A study was conducted to establish whether the wild thyme [Thymus polytrichus A. Kerner ex Borbás ssp. britannicus (Ronn.) Kerguelen (Lamiaceae)] growing in the metal-contaminated soils along the River South Tyne, United Kingdom, is colonised by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and whether the degree of colonisation increases (perhaps suggesting increasing mycorrhizal dependence) or decreases (indicating possible inhibition of AM growth) with increasing degree of soil contamination. Seasonal changes in AM colonisation were also assessed. The AM fungal communities colonising T. polytrichus were also investigated, using the polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing of fungal DNA to establish whether AM species richness varied between sites, and whether fungal ecotypes specific to sites with different amounts of metal contamination could be identified. All plants examined were heavily colonised by AM fungi, and mean percentage root length colonised did not increase significantly with increasing soil metal contamination. However, AM vesicle abundance (percentage of mycorrhizal root length containing vesicles) at the most contaminated site was significantly greater than at the other sites. No significant seasonal variation in degree of colonisation or vesicle abundance was found. Glomus was the predominant AM genus detected at all sites. The number of AM genotypes colonising T. polytrichus roots was similar at all sites but, although some were common to all sites, certain strains appeared to be specific to either the most- or the least-contaminated site. This variation in species may account for the difference in vesicle abundance between sites. The consistently heavy AM colonisation of T. polytrichus found suggests that these fungi are not inhibited by soil heavy metals at these sites, and that the host derives some benefit from its AM symbiont.     

Mycorrhizal associations in the Patagonian steppe,Argentina

The mycorrhizal status of plant species in north-west Patagonia was examined. Communities representative of Patagonian steppe and marshes were compared with respect to the mycorrhizal status of their species.Most of both native and exotic plant species sampled were arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM). The percentage of species with mycorrhizal association was higher for perennial herbs and shrubs than for annual herbs. The higher ratio of mycorrhizal/nonmycorrhizal (NM) species found for dicotyledons than for monocotyledons, could reflect the presence of a considerable number of NM monocotyledons in the marsh. The mycorrhizal status of plants differed slightly between the steppe and the marsh. In the steppe, native AM species were more frequent than in the marsh. In contrast, in the marsh, the NM species were proportionally more represented than in the steppe. The Juncaceae and Cyperaceae, which include hydrohytic NM plants, accounted for many of these differences. Moreover, the dominant species in the marshes, Juncus arcticus, is a NM species.In the present study, most of species belonging to the same taxonomic family tended to have the same mycorrhizal associations, in agreement with studies on plants from other regions. Exceptions to this general behaviour were observed in the families Cyperaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Berberidaceae and Amaryllidaceae. The most represented families in which mycorrhizal behaviour differed between species of the same family were Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. Senecio neaei (Asteraceae) and Boopis australis (Calyceraceae) showed facultative mycorrhizal behaviour.     

Effects of Different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Physiology of <i>Viola prionantha</i> under Salt Stress

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi distribute widely in natural habits and play a variety of ecological functions. In order to test the physiological response to salt stress mediated by different AM fungi, Viola prionantha was selected as the host, the dominant AM fungus in the rhizosphere of V. philippica growing in Songnen saline-alkali grassland, Rhizophagus irregularis, and their mixtures were used as inoculants, and NaCl stress was applied after the roots were colonized. The results showed that V. philippica could be colonized by AM fungi in the field and the colonization rate ranged from 73.33% to 96.67%, and Claroideoglomus etunicatum was identified as the dominant AM fungi species in the rhizosphere of V. philippica by morphology combined with sequencing for AM fungal AML1/AML2 target. Inoculation with both the species resulted in the formation of mycorrhizal symbiosis (the colonization rate was more than 70%) and AM fungi significantly enhanced plants’ tolerance to salt stress of varying magnitude. Higher activity of antioxidant enzymes and augmented levels of proline and other osmoregulators were observed in AM plants. The content of MDA in CK was higher than that in the inoculations with the stress of 100, 200, and 250 mM. All indices except soluble protein content and MDA content were significantly correlated with AM fungal colonization indices. The analysis for different AM fungal effects showed that the mixtures and R. irregularis worked even better than C. etunicatum. These results will provide theoretical support for the exploration and screening of salt-tolerant AM fungi species and also for the application of AM-ornamental plants in saline-alkali urban greening.     

Metal concentrations and mycorrhizal status of plants colonizing copper mine tailings: potential for revegetation

A field survey of metal concentrations and mycorrhizal status of plants growing on copper mine tailings was conducted in Anhui Province, China. Available phosphorus and organic matter in the tailings were very low. High concentrations of Pb, Zn, As and Cd as well as Cu were observed on some sites. The dominant plants growing on mine tailings belonged to the families Gramineae and Compositae, and the most widely distributed plant species were Imperata cylindrica, Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum distichum. Coreopsis drummondii also grew well on the arid sites but not on wet sites. Very low or zero arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal colonization was observed in most of the plants, but extensive mycorrhizal colonization was recorded in the roots of C. drummondii and C. dactylon. Metal concentrations in plant tissues indicated that l.cylindrica and P. distichum utilized avoidance mechanisms to survive at high metal concentrations. The investigation suggests that remediation and revegetation of heavy metal contaminated sites might be facilitated by selection of tolerant plant species. Isolation of tolerant AM fungi may also be warranted.     

Metal concentrations and mycorrhizal status of plants colonizing copper mine tailings: potential for revegetation

A field survey of metal concentrations and mycorrhizal status of plants growing on copper mine tailings was conducted in Anhui Province, China. Available phosphorus and organic matter in the tailings were very low. High concentrations of Pb, Zn, As and Cd as well as Cu were observed on some sites. The dominant plants growing on mine tailings belonged to the families Gramineae and Compositae, and the most widely distributed plant species were Imperata cylin-drica, Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum distichum. Coreopsis drummondii also grew well on the arid sites but not on wet sites. Very low or zero arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal colonization was observed in most of the plants, but extensive mycorrhizal colonization was recorded in the roots of C. drummondii and C. dactylon. Metal concentrations in plant tissues indicated that /. cylindrica and P. distichum utilized avoidance mechanisms to survive at high metal concentrations. The investigation suggests that remediation and revegetation of heavy metal con     

Mycorrhizal colonization and drought stress affect Δ13C in CO2‐labeled lettuce plants

We studied the role of different arbuscular‐mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plant carbon metabolism under drought stress. Plants were grown in pots maintained at two levels of soil moisture and labeled during photosynthesis with CO₂. P‐fertilized plants were used as a non‐mycorrhizal control. Well‐watered mycorrhizal plants showed similar growth to that of P‐fertilized plants. The level of mycorrhizal root infection was not significantly affected by fungal species or by water treatment. In contrast, important differences in Δ¹³C between P‐fertilized and AM plants were found in shoot and root tissues as a consequence of both water limitation and fungal presence. Δ¹³C in shoots and roots increased in non‐mycorrhizal treatment as compared with the well‐watered plants, whereas this parameter decreased significantly in mycorrhizal plants. Photosynthetic activity was increased in AM plants in well‐watered and droughted plants. G. deserticola was the most beneficial endophyte for water use efficiency in both water treatments. Transpiration rate was not affected by any of the treatments. On the basis of total C in plant tissues, in AM plants the newly fixed C seemed to be preferentially utilized for fungal activity rather than being stored in roots.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal morphology and dark septate fungal associations in medicinal and aromatic plants of Western Ghats, Southern India

We investigated roots of 107 medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the Western Ghats region of Southern India for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) associations. Of the 107 MAPs belonging to 98 genera in 52 families examined, 79 were AM and 38 harbored a DSE association. Typical Arum- and Paris-type mycorrhizas are first reported in the presumed nonmycorrhizal family Amaranthaceae. Similarly, DSE associations are recorded for the first time in nine plant families and 37 plant species. Thirty MAPs had both AM and DSE associations. The number of MAPs having Arum-type mycorrhiza was greater than those having Paris-type. This was more prominent among herbaceous plants than in trees where the Paris-type was predominant. Similarly, the Arum-type was more prevalent in annuals than in perennials. DSE associations were more frequent in herbs and perennials compared to other MAPs.     

Mycorrhizal status of plant species in the Chaco Serrano Woodland from central Argentina

We examined the mycorrhizal type of 128 plant species in two patches of native vegetation of the Chaco Serrano Woodland, central Argentina, the largest dry forest area in South America. Of the 128 plant species investigated (belonging to 111 genera in 53 families), 114 were colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM), orchid mycorrhizal associations were present in the five terrestrial orchid species analyzed, one ectomycorrhiza was only present in Salix humboldtiana Willd., and 96 harbored a dark septate endophyte (DSE) association. Co-occurrence of AM and DSE was observed in 88 plant species. We determine morphological types of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Arum, Paris, and intermediate AM structures) and report the mycorrhizal status in 106 new species, 12 of which are endemic to central Argentina and two, Aa achalensis Schltr. and Buddleja cordobensis Griseb., are declared to be vulnerable species. Root colonization in the Chaco Serrano Woodland is widespread and should be considered in revegetation programs due to the deterioration of this particular ecosystem. Considering the predominance of AM and DSE associations and the various potential benefits that these associations may bring to plant establishment, they should receive special attention in conservation and reforestation of these woodlands.