Evaluation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in cultivated crops

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous and form a symbiotic association with many higher plants. They improve mineral nutrient uptake and enhance abiotic stress tolerance. Common cultivated crops (green pea, chick pea, red lentil, green gram, tomato, black gram and pigeon pea) at Aligarh District were evaluated to ascertain the presence and dominance of AM fungi. Glomus was the predominant genus and showed high frequency of occurrence at all the sites investigated. Five species belongs to genera Glomus (G. fasciculatum, G. mosseae, G. etunicatum, G. macrocarpum and G. constrictum) were found to be associated with these crops. Distribution of AM fungi on studied crops was tomato > green pea > chickpeas > black gram > red lentil > pigeon pea. G. fasciculatum register the dominancy in terms of spore count in this study whereas G. constrictum trail the spore count.