Inoculation of (Prosopis Laevigata) by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Different Doses of Organic Matter in Two Types of Soil

Mesquite [Prosopis laevigata (Humb. Et Bonpl. ex Willd).M.C. Johnst.], has multiple uses: as wood for fuel (firewood and coal), for construction of fences (live fences or walls of logs), for handicrafts and kitchen tools. Also, the use of its pods is for forage and food. The industry uses its resins to manufacture glues, varnishes, and other solvents. The mesquite flowers are very important for honey production because of the nectar bees collected from the trees. We can also use it as a medicinal plant to treat different diseases (Meraz et al., 1998; Ríos-Gómez et al., 2010). Mesquite trees grow in the desert and semi-desert regions of Mexico. We can find them along the central and southern Pacific coast, the arid regions of the northeast and in the central highlands of Mexico (Sauceda et al., 2014). Mesquite trees and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are very important in the ecosystems because they can fix nitrogen and their organic matter increases the fertility of the soil when incorporated. Thus, improving the nutrition of nearby plants (Gardezi et al., 2016; López et al., 2010; Prieto-Ruiz et al., 2013).

Such an increase inorganic matter also contributes to improving the stability and structure of the soil, reducing erosion of marginal soils, degraded soils, and tepetates soils. Tepetates are indurated earthy materials from Mexico that have been reported with different names indifferent countries in the USA is known as silcrete. The soil capacity for storage water increases, as does the infiltration rate. Mesquite trees have one of the highest photosynthetic rates because of their optimal use of nitrogen and water (Ruiz-Tavares, 2011).

Mesquite (P. laevigata.) is the only tree in the ecosystem that has a great potential to rehabilitate arid and semiarid regions prone to desertification Gardezi et al., (2008). Also, it can recover agricultural lands with problems of salinity in the soil and water.

Recently, there has been a growing trend to produce mesquite trees in degraded ecosystems for restoration (Prieto-Ruiz et al., 2013). Around nine million plants of Prosopis laevigata and Prosopis glandulosa (Torr.) were produced in 2011 for reforestation programs in Mexico per the National Forestry Commission (Comisión Nacional Forestal (CONAFOR), 2012). On a different matter, the application of natural and biological fertilizers has received great interest by researchers because they have increased yields with a reduced ecological footprint when compared with the chemical ones (Vessey, 2003; Dadrasan et al., 2015). Vermicompost is compost produced when some earthworms (Eisenia foetida, Eisenia andrei, Lumbricus rubellus, as an example) transform organic residues into a stable sub product (Soto and Muñoz, 2002). Also, characterized by materials finely divided as peat, with high porosity, good drainage, and great moisture retention. It has a large surface able to absorb and keep essential nutrients informs easily assimilated by plants, such as nitrates, exchangeable phosphorus, soluble potassium, calcium, and magnesium (Atiyeh et al., 2000a; Atiyeh et al., 2000b). The organic matter added to the soil improves soil properties such as density, porosity, and the capacity of water absorption (Sree Ramulu, 2001; Singh and Agrawal, 2007).

We have found that the dual inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus fasciculatum), and Rhizobium strains helped trees from the genus Leucaena and Prosopisto mitigate the adverse effects of sodium chloride on the growth and development of juvenile seedlings (Dixon et al., 1993). Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the effects of Glomus sp., and the application of organic matter on the shots and root growth of mesquite trees (Prosopis laevigata) in two different soils.