UdeC researcher achieves important advances in the recovery of the Toromiro tree in Rapa Nui

The academic of the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Concepción, Dr. Macarena Gerding González, is in Rapa Nui, developing land work, to verify the progress regarding research on “symbiotic microorganisms for the inoculation and restoration of the species extinct on Rapa Nui: Sophora Toromiro”.

This is a 4-year project and that seeks the reintegration of Toromiro in its natural habitat that is the Easter Island, and in which they also work with FAF-RAPA NUI, CMPC and the University of Concepción, being a work of great importance since the toromiro is an endemic tree of the island that has a great cultural value for Rapa Nui.

“We are ending the second stage of an agreement that we had CONAF, which deals with the selection of bacteria for the rescue of Toromiro. We have been evaluating the plants that are from some time, taking some samples and training the people of the nurseo Mataveri Otai, in Rapa Nui regarding the work with bacteria as inoculants for plants”, explained the researcher.

As stated by Dr. Gerding, The idea is that once a strategy of propagation of Toromiro on the island is implemented, the viverists can multiply the bacteria and inoculate the plants.

“We verified that the plants that were inoculated with the selected bacteria are already large trees, approximately 2 meters, they are much more robust and we were able to verify the presence of the bacteria in their roots. We also established a new soil trial outside the nursery with toromiros inoculated with the most promising bacteria, to evaluate their performance under more stressful conditions. In addition, taking advantage of this visit, we collected some soil samples that will be used to look for other types of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi that provide nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium. through a UdeC VRID projectbecause the bacteria with which we have worked so far exclusively provide nitrogen”, the expert specified.

The most remarkable thing for the academic of this experience is that, “the people we are working with are happy to learn and to be contributing to the rescue of this species that is very important for the islanders.”

Finally, the researcher added that, “this is projected in the future. We want to continue advancing in being able to implement a laboratory so that they can work here with inoculant microorganisms for plants in general, not only with bacteria for toromiro, and thus favor the establishment of endemic plants in eroded soils, poor in nutrients and Under many times unfavorable climatic conditions, ”he said.