Underground Baristas: ecology of mycorrhizal fungi in Cerrado coffee cultivation.

The symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and coffee plants can improve nutrient use and crop resilience in low-fertility tropical soils. In this study, the activity and diversity of AMF in the rhizosphere of 35 Coffea arabica genotypes grown under Brazilian Cerrado conditions were characterized. Spore density, root colonization, and community composition were assessed by morphological characterization of field-collected spores and by multivariate analyses (CCA, PCA, and hierarchical clustering). No significant differences in spore density or root colonization were detected among the genotypes, which suggests a predominantly generalist symbiotic pattern under the uniform edaphoclimatic and management conditions of the experiment. Even so, 13 AMF genera were recorded, indicating substantial community diversity, with Glomus, Claroideoglomus, and Racocetra occurring most frequently. Ordination and clustering analyses revealed only subtle differences in community composition and no clear genotype-based grouping. These findings support the ecological relevance of AMF in Cerrado coffee systems and indicate that mycorrhizal monitoring may assist in integrated soil management and the future design of locally adapted fungal consortia.