ABSTRACT Climate and resource availability at the parent tree location are known to explain progeny characteristics; however, few studies have examined the role of resistance or tolerance to pathogens, even though climate is a main driver of pathogen abundance. We hypothesize that climate at the parent tree location has a relatively greater influence on progeny resistance or tolerance to pathogens than other progeny characteristics, such as seed mass or seedling growth. As a study species we used the vulnerable Neotropical tree Kageneckia lanceolata known to be susceptible to damping-off diseases. We collected seeds from 60 trees along the species` entire elevational gradient in central Argentina as a surrogate for climatic gradient and selected an ample array of parent tree sizes and rockiness under the crown as surrogate of tree access to resources. Seedling survival in a common nursery significantly increased with elevation of the parent tree from 40 to 80 % (P < 0.001), with damping-off being the only identified cause of mortality. We also found a non-significant trend suggesting that proportional growth during the cold semester increased with elevation (P = 0.083). Seed mass, germination, and growth of seedlings were not significantly influenced by elevation (P > 0.05). Parent tree size and rockiness were not related to any of the measured progeny characteristics. We conclude that the pathogenic environment around parental plants might have a great influence on progeny resistance or tolerance to pathogens and suggest that incorporating the pathogen dimension into future progeny studies may yield important findings.

RESUMO Conhecimento sobre as práticas de produção da árvore é essencial para apoiar projetos de restauração florestal, mas é ainda insuficiente para muitas espécies arbóreas. Maytenus boaria é uma árvore neotropical distribuída pelas montanhas temperadas e subtropicais da América do Sul. No centro da Argentina, é majoritariamente restrita nos remanescentes de floresta mais preservados. Tentativas de plantar esta espécie tiveram pouco sucesso devido às dificuldades de produção de mudas e baixa sobrevivência das plântulas. Montamos quatro ensaios com o objetivo de identificar as restrições à produção de mudas e plantio de campo. Sob condições de estufa, avaliamos os tratamentos de (i) pré-germinação e (ii) resposta das plântulas à inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA). No campo, nós plantadas mudas de M. boaria, bem como mudas da árvore mais abundante em nosso local de estudo, e avaliamos a (iii) sobrevivência e altura por 10 anos. Finalmente, (iv) nós quantificamos o recrutamento natural em tentativa de determinar o nicho de regeneração da M. boaria. A germinação variou de 13,1 a 29,2% entre os tratamentos. Sementes sem a polpa estratificadas a 5 °C obtiveram a maior germinação (29,2%). Concentração de fósforo na parte aérea das mudas tratadas com FMA foi significativamente maior (45%) do que em mudas não inoculadas. Sobrevivência das mudas de M. boaria foi semelhante ao da árvore mais abundante em nosso local de estudo, mas sua baixa altura sugeriu crescimento limitado. Nós gravamos baixa abundância de plântulas de M. boaria no campo, portanto, não fomos capazes de identificar as características do seu nicho de regeneração. Atividades de reflorestamento devem incluir a retirada da polpa das sementes e estratificação a 5 °C para melhorar a germinação. A capacidade de FMA para melhorar a nutrição deve ser avaliada em condições de campo.

ABSTRACT Knowledge about tree production practices is essential to support forest restoration projects, but is still lacking for many tree species. Maytenus boaria is a neotropical tree distributed across the temperate and subtropical South American mountains. In central Argentina, it is mainly restricted to the most preserved forest remnants. Attempts to plant this species have had little success due to difficulties in seedling production and low seedling survival. We set up four trials aiming to identify the constraints of seedling production and outplanting. Under greenhouse conditions, we evaluated (i) pre-germination treatments and (ii) seedling response to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In the field, we planted M. boaria saplings as well as saplings of the most abundant tree in our study site and recorded (iii) survival and height for 10 years. Finally, (iv) we quantified natural recruitment in an attempt to determine M. boaria regeneration niche. Germination varied from 13.1 to 29.2% among treatments. Depulped seeds stratified at 5 ºC showed the highest germination (29.2%). Shoot phosphorus concentration in AMF-treated seedlings was significantly higher (45%) than in non-inoculated seedlings. Survival of M. boaria saplings was similar to that of the most abundant tree in our study site, but their lower height suggested limited growth. We recorded low abundance of M. boaria seedlings in the field; therefore, we were unable to identify the characteristics of its regeneration niche. Reforestation activities should include seed depulping and stratification at 5 ºC to improve germination. The capacity of AMF to enhance nutrition should be evaluated under field conditions.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonize approximately 82% of land plants in every ecosystem, even in extreme conditions such as saline soils. In the present work we report the arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and its vertical root concentration in four Chenopodiaceae plants species (Allenrolfea patagonica, Atriplex argentina, Heterostachys ritteriana and Suaeda divaricata) at five different soil depths in two salines of central Argentina. All the plant species showed mycorrhizal colonization and varied significantly among plant species and sites for all soil depths. Atriplex argentina presented the highest mycorrhizal colonization at almost all soil depths (0-50 cm). In all plant species root concentration decrease as depth increases at both sites. The presence of mycorrhizal roots in the deeper layers of soil in the four Chenopodiaceae plants species, shows that these fungi are tolerant to live in the saline soils of central Argentina.

Los hongos micorrícico-arbusculares (HMA) colonizan aproximadamente el 82% de las plantas terrestres en cualquier ecosistema, aún en condiciones extremas tales como los suelos salinos. En el presente trabajo se reporta la colonización micorrícica arbuscular (CMA) y su concentración radical en cuatro especies de Chenopodiaceae (Allenrolfea patagonica, Atriplex argentina, Heterostachys ritteriana y Suaeda divaricata) en cinco profundidades del suelo en dos salinas del Centro de Argentina. Todas las plantas mostraron colonización micorrícica que varió significativamente entre especies y sitios para todas las profundidades. Atriplex argentina presentó el mayor porcentaje de CMA en casi todas las profundidades (0-50 cm). En todas las especies, la concentración radical disminuyó a medida que se incrementó la profundidad en ambos sitios. La presencia de raíces micorrizadas en las capas más profundas del suelo para las cuatro especies de Chenopodiaceae, muestran que estos hongos son tolerantes a vivir en los suelos salinos del centro de Argentina.

Constant collection surveys of freshwater Algae and Cyanobacteria in central Argentina streams have revealed new identities. This study reports for the first time six species for Córdoba Province and five for Argentina. Biodiversity description of the streams of central Argentina is crucial for the development of conservation activities. In this study the record of new species for this region and for Argentina highlights the relevance of further research to help improving knowledge of the diversity and ecology in this hydrographic system.

Nuevos registros de algas de agua dulce y de Cyanobacteria de los arroyos de montaña de Córdoba (Argentina). Diferentes muestreos en arroyos de agua dulce del centro de la Argentina han revelado nuevas identidades de algas y cianobacterias. Este estudio reporta nuevas citas, seis especies para la provincia de Córdoba y cinco para Argentina. La descripción de la biodiversidad de los arroyos de la región central de Argentina, es crucial para el desarrollo de las actividades de conservación. En este estudio el registro de nuevas especies para la región y para el país pone de relieve la necesidad de promover la investigación para mejorar el conocimiento de la diversidad y ecología de este sistema hidrográfico.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonize land plants in every ecosystem, even extreme conditions such as saline soils. In the present work we report for the first time the mycorrhizal status and the vertical fungal distribution of AMF spores present in the rhizospheric soil samples of four species of Chenopodiaceae (Allenrolfea patagonica, Atriplex argentina, Heterostachys ritteriana and Suaeda divaricata) at five different depths in two saline of central Argentina. Roots showed medium, low or no colonization (0-50%). Nineteen morphologically distinctive AMF species were recovered. The number of AMF spores ranged between 3 and 1162 per 100 g dry soil, and AMF spore number decreased as depth increased at both sites. The highest spore number was recorded in the upper soil depth (0-10 cm) and in S. divaricata. Depending of the host plant, some AMF species sporulated mainly in the deep soil layers (Glomus magnicaule in Allenrolfea patagonica, Septoglomus aff. constrictum in Atriplex argentina), others mainly in the top layers (G. brohultti in Atriplex argentina and Septoglomus aff. constrictum in Allenrolfea patagonica). Although the low percentages of colonization or lack of it, our results show a moderate diversity of AMF associated to the species of Chenopodiaceae investigated in this study. The taxonomical diversity reveals that AMF are adapted to extreme environmental conditions from saline soils of central Argentina.

Arbuscular fungi (Glomeromycota) in the rhizosphere of Atriplex lampa at two saline environments of Córdoba (Argentina): depth infuence on root colonization and the presence of morphospecies. Atriplex lampa is a valuable fodder shrub available for browsing by livestock even during drought periods in the Chaco Phytogeographical Province. Halophytes may beneft from the association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) through improved tolerance to drought and salt. Ecological studies of AMF are generally restricted to the main rooting zone. However, AMF vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics in natural saline soils of Argentina have been poorly studied. The aim of this work was to explore AMF root colonization, root concentration and to identify AMF morphoespecies in A. lampa rhizosphere in two saline environments (Salinas de Ambargasta and Salinas Grandes) of central Argentina, in fve soil depth levels, during the wet and dry seasons. Despite we did not fnd arbuscules, AMF were found colonizing A. lampa roots in all depth levels. Salinas Grandes showed the highest root colonization value, and showed the highest root concentration, during wet season. The 20 AMF morphospecies identifed in this work belonged to the genera: Acaulospora, Ambispora, Claroideoglomus, Diversispora, Funneliformis, Glomus, Septoglomus and Scutellospora. This is the second record in Argentina of AMF structures in A. lampa roots. Future studies that evaluate mycorrhizal dependency of the plant are necessary to confrm the function of the symbiosis.

Atriplex lampa es un arbusto halófto de la provincia ftogeográfca Chaqueña que constituye un recurso forrajero a lo largo de todo el año. Las plantas halóftas se pueden benefciar al asociarse con los hongos micorrícico arbusculares (HMA), ya que le proveen resistencia contra la salinidad y la sequía. En general, los estudios acerca de los HMA están restringidos a los primeros centímetros del suelo y existe poca información sobre su presencia a mayores profundidades. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la colonización, la concentración radical e identifcar las morfoespecies de HMA en la rizosfera de A. lampa en dos ambientes salinos del norte de la provincia de Córdoba, durante dos estaciones del año, y en cinco profundidades del suelo. Aunque no se encontraron arbúsculos, A. lampa presentó colonización radical por HMA en todas las profundidades. El mayor valor de colonización micorrícica y de concentración radical se observó en las Salinas Grandes. Se identifcaron 20 morfoespecies de HMA pertenecientes a los géneros: Acaulospora, Ambispora, Claroideoglomus, Diversispora, Funneliformis, Glomus, Septoglomus y Scutellospora. Este es el segundo registro en Argentina de la presencia de HMA en raíces de A. lampa. Es necesario realizar estudios que evalúen la respuesta de A. lampa frente a la inoculación con HMA para confrmar la funcionalidad de la simbiosis.