Presence and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil regularly irrigated with vinasses

Abstract

The application of organic waste products, such as vinasses to the soil is a common practice in different countries. Vinasses are a residual liquid generated during various processes such as ethanol production and beverages distillation. However, little is known about how the vinasses affect the content and species distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soils irrigated with vinasses. The aim of this research was to determine the presence, spore density and taxonomic identification of AMF to assess in vinasses irrigated (VS) and unirrigated soils (CS). Sixteen species were identified in irrigated and unirrigated soils, with a predominance of Acaulospora mellea, A. scrobiculata, Funneliformis geosporum, F. mosseae and Paraglomus occultum. Only Clareidoglomus etunicatum, Septoglomus constrictum, and Racocetra gregaria were found in VS, while A. morrowiae and Scuttelospora reticulate were only found in CS. The AMF abundance, root colonization, richness and biodiversity indices were not affected by vinasses application. It was found that irrigation of soil with vinasses seemed to have only a limited effect on AMF. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the species of AMF present in soil frequently irrigated with vinasse. This study could serve as a base for further investigations into the effect of vinasse on the soil microbial community and crop yields.