Influencia de Glomus fasciculatum en el crecimiento y desarrollo de Lilium sp. cv orange pixie

the aims of this study were to determinate the susceptibility of lilium sp. to be colonized by glomus fasciculatum and the effect of the fungi in phosphorus absorption, plant development and flower quality. the study was carried out from june to september 2006 at el cerrillo campus of the state of mexico autonomous university. inoculated and noninoculated bulbs of lilium sp. cv orange pixie were planted and irrigated with a modified long ashton nutrient solution with 0, 22 and 44 μg ml-1 p. a completely randomized block design under a bifactorial 2x3 arrangement with 10 replicates was utilized. the studied parameters were: plant height, stem diameter, days to bud opening, number of flower buds, length and diameter of buds, flower lifespan, root, stem and flower dry weight, percent of colonization and phosphorus content in stem. results showed that lilium sp. cv. orange pixie is susceptible to glomus fasciculatum colonization, which enhanced stem diameter, bud length and diameter, flower dry weight and flower lifespan. the best commercial flower quality was obtained with the inoculation with g. fasciculatum and 22 μg ml-1 p. inoculation contributed to an early bud opening and would reduce the use of chemical fertilizers up to 50% with the consequent benefits to lilium producers.