Pine Forest Plantations in the Neotropics: Challenges and Potential Use of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Bacteria as Inoculants

Forest plantations in the Neotropics aim to alleviate pressure on primary forests. This study synthesizes knowledge on pine species used in these plantations, emphasizing the challenges and potential of ectomycorrhizal fungi and bacteria as inoculants. An analysis of 98 articles identifies 23 pine s...

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Main Authors: Yajaira Baeza-Guzmán, Sara Lucía Camargo-Ricalde, Dora Trejo-Aguilar, Noé Manuel Montaño
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/5/393
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author Yajaira Baeza-Guzmán
Sara Lucía Camargo-Ricalde
Dora Trejo-Aguilar
Noé Manuel Montaño
author_facet Yajaira Baeza-Guzmán
Sara Lucía Camargo-Ricalde
Dora Trejo-Aguilar
Noé Manuel Montaño
author_sort Yajaira Baeza-Guzmán
collection DOAJ
description Forest plantations in the Neotropics aim to alleviate pressure on primary forests. This study synthesizes knowledge on pine species used in these plantations, emphasizing the challenges and potential of ectomycorrhizal fungi and bacteria as inoculants. An analysis of 98 articles identifies 23 pine species in Mexico and Central America and about 16 fast-growing species in South America. While pine plantations provide a habitat for generalist species, they reduce the richness of specialist species. Ectomycorrhizal fungi and bacterial diversity in plantations with introduced pines is up to 20% lower compared to native ecosystems. <i>Suillus</i> and <i>Hebeloma</i> are commonly used as mycorrhizal inoculants for Neotropical and introduced species, including <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> and <i>Pinus radiata</i> in South America. Commercial inoculants predominantly feature the fungal species <i>Pisolithus tinctorius</i>, alongside bacterial genera such as <i>Bacillus</i>, <i>Cohnella</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas</i>. This study emphasizes the importance of leveraging native microbial communities and their synergistic interactions with ECM fungi and bacteria to enhance seedling growth and quality. Such a combined approach can improve plantation survival, boost resilience to environmental stressors, and promote long-term productivity. These findings underscore the need to incorporate native fungi and bacteria into inoculant strategies, advancing sustainable forestry practices and ecosystem adaptation in the Neotropics.
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spelling doaj-art-1ea7fe73330f4d0baf7142716651d09e2025-08-20T02:33:50ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-05-0111539310.3390/jof11050393Pine Forest Plantations in the Neotropics: Challenges and Potential Use of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Bacteria as InoculantsYajaira Baeza-Guzmán0Sara Lucía Camargo-Ricalde1Dora Trejo-Aguilar2Noé Manuel Montaño3Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, MexicoDepartamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Mexico City 09310, MexicoFacultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Veracruzana, Circuito Gonzalo Aguirre Beltráns/n, Zona Universitaria, Xalapa 91090, MexicoDepartamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Iztapalapa, Mexico City 09310, MexicoForest plantations in the Neotropics aim to alleviate pressure on primary forests. This study synthesizes knowledge on pine species used in these plantations, emphasizing the challenges and potential of ectomycorrhizal fungi and bacteria as inoculants. An analysis of 98 articles identifies 23 pine species in Mexico and Central America and about 16 fast-growing species in South America. While pine plantations provide a habitat for generalist species, they reduce the richness of specialist species. Ectomycorrhizal fungi and bacterial diversity in plantations with introduced pines is up to 20% lower compared to native ecosystems. <i>Suillus</i> and <i>Hebeloma</i> are commonly used as mycorrhizal inoculants for Neotropical and introduced species, including <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> and <i>Pinus radiata</i> in South America. Commercial inoculants predominantly feature the fungal species <i>Pisolithus tinctorius</i>, alongside bacterial genera such as <i>Bacillus</i>, <i>Cohnella</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas</i>. This study emphasizes the importance of leveraging native microbial communities and their synergistic interactions with ECM fungi and bacteria to enhance seedling growth and quality. Such a combined approach can improve plantation survival, boost resilience to environmental stressors, and promote long-term productivity. These findings underscore the need to incorporate native fungi and bacteria into inoculant strategies, advancing sustainable forestry practices and ecosystem adaptation in the Neotropics.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/5/393diversity<i>Pinus</i>reforestationseedling qualitysustainable forest management
spellingShingle Yajaira Baeza-Guzmán
Sara Lucía Camargo-Ricalde
Dora Trejo-Aguilar
Noé Manuel Montaño
Pine Forest Plantations in the Neotropics: Challenges and Potential Use of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Bacteria as Inoculants
Journal of Fungi
diversity
<i>Pinus</i>
reforestation
seedling quality
sustainable forest management
title Pine Forest Plantations in the Neotropics: Challenges and Potential Use of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Bacteria as Inoculants
title_full Pine Forest Plantations in the Neotropics: Challenges and Potential Use of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Bacteria as Inoculants
title_fullStr Pine Forest Plantations in the Neotropics: Challenges and Potential Use of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Bacteria as Inoculants
title_full_unstemmed Pine Forest Plantations in the Neotropics: Challenges and Potential Use of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Bacteria as Inoculants
title_short Pine Forest Plantations in the Neotropics: Challenges and Potential Use of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Bacteria as Inoculants
title_sort pine forest plantations in the neotropics challenges and potential use of ectomycorrhizal fungi and bacteria as inoculants
topic diversity
<i>Pinus</i>
reforestation
seedling quality
sustainable forest management
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/5/393
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