Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonizing the plant communities in Eritrea, northeast Africa

Abstract

The colonization and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi associated with some common plants were investigated in Eritrea, northeast Africa. Of the 37 plant species belonging to 14 families collected, 26 were colonized by AM fungi. The mean percentage root length colonized was 21.34%, ranging from 0-91%. Nineteen plant species formed Paris-type and 10 Arum-type AM. The average spore density was 43 per 50 ml air-dried soil and the average species richness was 2.4 AM species per sample. There was no correlation between percentage root length colonized by AM fungi, intensity of infection and spore density. Of the 21 AM fungal taxa belonging to four genera isolated from the root region soils, two belonged to Archaeospora, two to Diversispora fifteen to Glomus and two to Scutellospora.