| The aim of this study was to obtain knowledge on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) associations in papaya (Caricapapaya, L.) in field soils and nursery conditions. Sixty seven soil and root samples were taken in February and May of 1996, from 47 commercial plantations in the North of Espirito Santo State and the West and South of Bahia State, in Brazil. Samples were used for direct spore counts, root colonization assessment and for trap culture with Sorghumbicolor (L.) Moench and Crotalariajuncea L. Additional sampling was done in commercial nurseries to evaluate mycorrhizal colonization. Although papaya cropping systems are usually under high input of fertilizers and pesticides, papaya roots showed considerable arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization, ranging... |
