Overview of the Mycorrhizal Fungi in South America

Abstract

The advances in plant cataloging and the increase of studies on mycorrhiza in South America (SA) have led to the compilation of information to better understand the native ecosystems and their constraints. Selected environments ranging from natural to anthropized ecosystems were analyzed according to their fungal-endophyte-associations and fungal-symbionts occurrence in relation to relevant physical-chemical properties of soils of the principal biomes in SA. Considering conservation units, no National Park is under continuous research in SA and few ones have been investigated for mycorrhizal symbioses. Ectomycorrhizas, with scant host-tree species in SA, are also investigated in Argentina and Chile forestry and mostly in exotic trees in Brazil. The study of the mycorrhizas and mycorrhizal fungi ecology and their response to global change, which is urgently recommended, is still incipient. Further, the publication revisions showed that Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, and Ecuador are the countries with more published reports. Studies on mycorrhizas have developed largely; however, most of them were concerned with diversity and morphology, while the applications of mycorrhizas in environmental issues are still limited. The cooperative work between researchers from the Northern Hemisphere and SA could lead to greater advances on the quick and improved knowledge of the wonderful SA ecosystems and their mycorrhizas. This chapter revises and discusses the advances in mycorrhizal fungi understanding drawing on recent research.