POTENTIALITY EXPLORATION OF NATIVE ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels GROWTH UNDER NURSERY CONDITIONS

The use of beneficial microorganisms in the regeneration of forest species is a rational approach that both reduces inputs and preserves forest ecosystems. From this perspective, the objectives of this study were (i) to select the most efficient mycorrhizal complex and (ii) to evaluate the effects of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) selected of argan trees [Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels] from southwest Morocco on the growth of argan plants in nursery conditions. The result of the mycorrhizal potential test favoured the soils harvested in the Argana and Bouyzakarne argan forests. The results of inoculation of argan plants by the AMF confirm the strong dependence of the argan tree on the native AMF for the improvement of the quality of seedlings in nurseries. The weight of the aerial and root dry matter and the ratio (dry root weight / dry leaf weight) are the criteria which give the best estimate of this growth. It would therefore be interesting to make the best use of this potential and to transfer mycorrhizal plants with efficient strains to the field in order to improve their survival and their initial growth.