Root anatomy and root endophytes in Podocarpus parlatorei (Podocarpaceae).

Abstract

Root anatomy and root endophytes in Podocarpus parlatorei (Podocarpaceae). Podocarpus parlatorei Pilg. known as “mountain pine” is a tree up to 20 m tall, grows in mountain forests between 1500 and 2000 m asl and is the native only representative of the Gymnosperma in the NOA. The aim of this study was to characterize the anatomy of the root system and root endophytes in P. parlatoreicomparatively between individuals of Tucuman and Catamarca. We applied conventional histological techniques and staining. The results showed that individuals from both provinces had the same structural feature in the different stages of development, differing in the number of layers in the cortical tissue. We observed the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal with morphology Arum and Paris, both in root and nodules. For this species is recorded for the first time the presence of cells with non-lignified secondary thickening in the cortical parenchyma of the primary roots and nodules, whose function would be mechanical and absorption. The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes in P. parlatorei is also reported for the first time for Argentina, and the morphology of these root endophytes is described