Factors affecting "in vitro" plant development and root colonization of sweet potato by Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerd

Bressan, Wellington

Nutrients media (Murashige & Skoog, Hoagland & Arnon and White's media) supplemented or not with sucrose and substrates (vermiculite, agar and natrosol) were tested for their effects on plant development and root colonization of micropropagated sweet potato, cv. White Star, by Glomus etunicatum Becker & Gerdemann (isolate INVAM FL S329). Addition of sucrose (3 per cent) did not affect plant development. However, hyphal growth and root colonization were depressed. Contrasting responses to media nutrient concentration were observed for plant height, root colonization, and hyphal growth. The highest concentration of nutrients in Murashige & Skoog medium improved plant development, but this medium decreased hypha growth and inhibited root colonization. Plants growing in vermiculite substrate had higher (p£0.05) development and mycorrhizal root colonization than those growing in agar or natrosol. The results indicate that colonization of micropropagated sweet potato by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is affected by media composition and type of substrate.