Diversity of AM Fungi In Rhizosphere of Witha...

Diversity of AM Fungi In Rhizosphere of Withania coagulans In Indian Thar Desert

Author Name : Dr. Nishi Mathur

ABSTRACT

A field survey of various districts of Western Rajasthan was undertaken to evaluate diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) associations with Withania coagulans . Four genera were identified in the rhizosphere of Withania coagulans. A high diversity of AMF was observed. Among the genera, Glomus occurred most frequently, with species, Acaulospora, Gigaspora were found with three species, respectively, while Scutellospora was detected with two species each. Gigaspora margarita, Gigaspora rosea, Glomus deserticola, Glomus aggregatum, and Acaulospora leavis were the most dominant species. The AMF spore density was not clearly correlated with percentage of root colonization, suggesting that biotic factors may be relatively less important than abiotic/edaphic factors for establishing population pattern. The spore density of AMF had a strong positive correlation with soil pH and organic carbon content and a negative correlation with  P content of the soil. The association with AMFand  Withania coagulans native to the harsh environmental conditions of the Indian TharDesert may play a significant role in the re-establishment and conservation of this endangered plant species.

Keywords: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Withania coagulans , Glomus, Gigaspora, Acaulospora, Scutellospora.