Evaluation of the production cost of neotropical ectomycorrhizal inoculants based on spores

Abstract

The biological diversity in any ecosystem is fundamental for its existence and balance. Logging undoubtedly alters this diversity. An example is the modifications in the communities of ectomycorrhizal fungi, which are fundamental for the species of forest importance. Due to the above, it is essential for reforestation to carry out mycorrhization in the nursery and thereby favor the establishment of trees in the field, especially in highly disturbed or eroded areas. However, reintroducing ectomycorrhizal species is a challenge due to the ecological, biotechnological and financial implications. Particularly, there is scarce information that analyzes the production cost of ectomycorrhizal inoculants based on spores and the species or the criteria to choose the ectomycorrhizal fungus species suitable for preparation of inoculants. In the present work, the cost of production of Neotropical inoculants based on spores of edible ectomycorrhizal fungi species native to Mexico belonging to Laccaria spp. and Hebeloma spp. The production costs of the spore- based ectomycorrhizal inoculant evaluated in the present work were $2.00 Mexican pesos per gram for the powder inoculum and $0.05 pesos per mL for the liquid inoculum. Both inoculants are effective in the pine mycorrhizal colonization. We demonstrate the financial feasibility of the production of ectomycorrhizal inoculants to inoculate pine trees of forest importance.