Currently, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are used to benefit the chemical, biological and physical fertility of the soil in cropping systems.
Humulus lupulus, soil tillage; Glomeromycota; cover crops.
The evaluations were carried out at Fazenda São Francisco in Serra do Capim in Teresópolis/RJ. The local climate is Maritime Temperate (Cfb) according to Köppen. The ecological survey of AMFs was carried out in two different organic Humulus lupulus cropping experiments: (a) var. Comet under different compositions of cover crops for the purpose of green manure between the cropping rows and (b) var. Cascade under different doses of Bokashi type organic compost. Both designs were entirely randomised blocks with four replications in each, where the factors were the different seasons, summer and winter, for (b) and the different phases of cover crop management, post-sowing and post-cutting in (a). Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 to 10 cm to assess the occurrence of AMF species and the chemical fertility of the soil. To assess the occurrence, the AMF spores were counted and identified morphologically. The soil's chemical fertility was based on the analysis of macronutrients. Treatment with turnip rape led to an increase in the number of species between the phases sampled. Calcium content showed a significant correlation with the absence of the AMF species Acaulospora bireticulata and with the presence of Sclerocystis clavispora under green manure management. Sieverdingia tortuosa showed a positive correlation with calcium content under organic fertiliser management.