Patterns of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and their association with edaphic gradients in a secondary forest of the abras de mantequilla wetland

Abstract

The study assessed the dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and its relationship with edaphic gradients in a secondary forest of the Abras de Mantequilla wetland, aiming to elucidate the functional variability of the soil-fungus-plant symbiosis in native forest species. Root and soil samples associated with Albizia guachapele, Cecropia peltata, Eugenia pustulescens, and Guazuma ulmifolia were collected during the rainy season; colonization percentages were determined through differential staining and microscopic evaluation, while soil physicochemical attributes were analyzed using standardized procedures. The findings revealed significant differences in colonization intensity, with Cecropia peltata showing the highest mycorrhizal dependence and Eugenia pustulescens the lowest. Pearson correlations indicated species-specific associations between colonization and edaphic variables, including pH, macro- and micronutrient availability, and soil textural proportions. Guazuma ulmifolia exhibited positive correlations with pH, Al, K, and Mn; Albizia guachapele was associated with Fe, Mo, Zn, and Ca; and Cecropia peltata showed the broadest set of relationships, particularly with Ca, P, and Mn. Complementary analyses of soil physical properties revealed contrasting textural affinities among species, confirming the role of soil structure in modulating the symbiosis. Overall, the results suggest that edaphic variability constrains arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and that certain species may contribute functionally to the ecological stability of the ecosystem, providing relevant insights for restoration strategies and forest management in tropical wetlands.