Identification of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in queñua (Polylepis rugulosa) in the forest of southern Peru

Queñua (Polylepis rugulosa) forests are heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities, necessitating effective reforestation strategies. These efforts often face challenges due to various environmental factors, highlighting the importance of studying soil biotic associations, particularly with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which play a crucial role in forest ecosystem health by forming symbiotic associations with plants, facilitating nutrient exchange, and promoting growth. This study investigated the AMF community in P. rugulosa forests in Arequipa, Peru. Rhizospheric soil was collected from two zones (A and B) differentiated by an altitude gradient. Spore density was measured to analyze colonization percentage; AMF spores were counted per 100 grams of soil, and morphological identification was performed using The International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi. The findings revealed a 10% colonization rate, with Acaulospora as the dominant genus, representing 63.2% of the AMF community in both zones. 41 taxa were identified, including Acaulospora, Glomus, Rhizoglomus, Claroideoglomus, and Racocetra. The most abundant species was Acaulospora kentinensis. Biodiversity indices indicated moderate AMF diversity in both zones, with the highest spore density observed in zone B at the lower altitude. These results suggest that AMF monitoring and study can enhance reforestation efforts for P. rugulosa and serve as a valuable bioindicator in forest conservation strategies.