Diversity of AM (Arbuscular mycorrhizal) Fungi in Wheat Agro-climatic Regions of India

Abstract

AM (Arbuscular mycorrhizal) fungi are important yet unknown components of biodiversity in the agricultural fields in India. To study their diversity and habitat relationships, we characterized and enumerated spores in 55 fields of wheat from 11 agro-climatic regions of India, varying in climatic and edaphic characteristics. The AM fungal spore count, species richness, most frequent species, and intra-radical colonization were studied in various samples drawn from these regions. A total of 165 samples were collected at the time of the wheat harvest. These samples were used as trap cultures and multiplied in a green house for a period of one year, which yielded 34 species scattered over 6 genera. The genera Glomus Tulasne & Tulasne occurred most frequently, constituting 89.1% of the total species. The number of species in a given region ranged from 1–9. Glomus albidum Walker & Rhodes and G. macrocarpum Tulasne & Tulasne were found to be the most commonly occurring species.