Soil Chemical Properties and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Cerrado Revegetated Area.

The study aimed to evaluate the soil chemical properties and the number of spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with Cerrado native tree species, on the recovery of degraded cerrado area. The experiment was conducted at the UNESP-Univ. Estadual Paulista, Ilha Solteira Campus, Brazil, located in Selvíria-MS. Originally, the area was a Cerrado sensu stricto and the predominant soil was classified as Typic Oxisol. In the late 60's, with the construction of the Ilha Solteira Hydroelectric plant, the site was deforested and the area had the soil cutting at the depth of 8-12 m. The experimental was on randomized, with and 10 tree species and four replicates, each replicate consisting of five plants. Organic and mineral fertilization, and liming, were added to the pit for better initial growth of seedlings. Also, 50 mL of preserved cerrado soil was applied as source of microorganisms. The ten cerrado native species used in the revegetation program: Anadenanthera falcata, Acacia polyphylla, Stryphnodendron adstringens, Dimorphandra mollis Benth, Hymenaea stignocarpa, Magonia pubescens, Lafoensia pacari, Dipteryx alata, Tabebuia aurea and Machaerium acutifolium. The soil chemical characteristics and number of AMF spores was assessed at 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after transplant. The number of spores increased over time in the areas, getting high. The organic matter content and the number of spores were positively correlated with the above ground area, indicating that the plant species composition was more important than the number of individuals potentially hosts. Although the soils chemical properties in the study area are still below ideal levels, they were able to sustain plant growth, initiating the recovery process. The revegetation and management practices adopted, as well as the establishment of a diverse community of invasive plant species, provided increases in soil organic matter, which positively influenced other subsoil chemical properties Keywords: degraded area, subsoil, recovery, plant species composition