Agroecology of endogenous mycorrhizal fungi

The Hevea tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is grown mainly for its rubber-rich latex, used in various industries. The use of soil micro-organisms constitutes a sustainable alternative for improving soil fertility. This study aims to evaluate the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi present in the rubber growing soils of the Compagnie Heveicole de Cavally (CHC) in Cote d'Ivoire. The analyzes show that the soil has a sandy-clayey texture and a good chemical composition, with a cation exchange capacity of 30.3 to 44.9 Cmol/g, a nitrogen of 0.4 to 0.5%, and organic matter of 7.3 to 8.7%. Spore densities vary between 3 and 4.5 spore/g and mycorrhizal intensities between 1.5 and 4. Continued use of chemical fertilizers increases organic matter and exchangeable bases, which decreases fungal activity mycorrhizal in the roots of rubber clones IRCA41 and PB217.