Comparative assessment of arbuscular mycoorhizal fungi (AMF) associated with Oroxylum indicum L. (Kurz.)- an ethno-medicinal plant of N. E. India

Abstract

Oroxylum indicum L. (Kurz.) is an ethno-medicinally important plant of North East India. In the present investigation, a comparative study was conducted to assess the AM fungal associations of Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz. each at two sampling locations of Jorhat district, Assam and Mon district of Nagaland, N. E. India. Comparatively higher root colonization (100±0) and maximum spore population (1239±13.4) were observed in the rhizospheric samples of Mon district, Nagaland, the region which is geographically more distinct and diverse than the other study location. The rhizospheric samples of Jorhat district showed relatively lower spore count and AM colonization. The Shannon-Weinner and Simpson diversity indices were measured as maximum (2.935 and 0.941 respectively) in samples of Mon district, Nagaland. The results of the present investigation indicated the effect of geographical variations, environmental selection as well as alterations of edaphic factors in changing the AMF populations associated with Oroxylum indicum, an ethno-medicinally important plant of NE India.