Hordeum vulgare: A suitable host for mass production of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from natural soil

Abstract

Four plant species viz. Hordeum vulgare, Triticum aestivum, Phaseolus vulgaris and Phaseolus mungo were examined for mass production of consortium of AM fungi present in the rhizosphere soil. Rhizosphere soil were collected from teak dominated forest and was used as a source of AM inoculum. Surface sterilized seeds of all the four selected plant species were raised in a mixture of sterilized soil and sand in 3:1 ratio. Mass production of AM fungi was observed in terms of (%) AM colonization, AM spore population, and effectiveness of AM consortia was recorded in terms of height and dry weight of inoculated and uninoculated plants. Out of four test species H. vulgare responded as the most suitable host. After 60 days, H. vulgare showed the highest colonization (92%) and 74 spores per 25 g soil. It was observed that plants having higher AM colonization showed higher AM spore production showing a positive correlation, however, it was not found in T. aestivum. Study indicates that H. vulgare is suitable for early colonization and mass production of AM fungi. After 90 days of pot culture, pot soil from all host were analyzed for AM flora. In all, eleven AM species were identified from the consortium. Maximum numbers of AM species (8 species) were found associated with H. vulgare. Three species of AM fungi i.e. Glomus aggregatum, G. fasciculatum and Sclerocystis pakistanica were found to dominate in the soil of H. vulgare. © 2005, Penkala Bt.