Impact of Mycorrhizal Fungi from Different Rhizospheric Soils on Fungal Colonization, Growth, and Chlorophyll Contents of Cenchrus ciliaris

Abstract

Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and plants and are primarily responsible for nutrient transfer and survival of both partners. The present study was conducted to explore the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizospheric soil of perennial grass species (Saccharum spontaneum, Saccharum bengalense, Setaria verticillata, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, and Typha angustata) around the district Layyah. In the subsequent experiment, the rhizospheric soils were used as inoculants, and their impact on mycorrhizal colonization in the plant and soil, and growth and physiological attributes, of Cenchrus ciliaris were investigated. The maximum hyphal, vesicles, arbuscules, dark septate endophytic and ectomycorrhizal colonization, and spore percentage were observed in the case of R-S5, i.e., rhizospheric soil, collected from Saccharum bengalense. However, the maximum (0.9310) Simpson’s index of diversity was observed in the case of R-S4, i.e., rhizospheric soil collected from Setaria verticillata. Different mycorrhizal fungal morphotypes scattered over three genera, i.e., Acaulospora, Glomus, and Scutellospora, were recorded both from rhizosphere and trap cultures. The application of spores from rhizospheric soil collected from S. bengalense (R-S5) caused the maximum increase in plant height (19.5%), number of leaves plant−1 (17.6%), leaf area (108.0%), and chlorophyll contents (29.4%) of Cenchrus ciliaris, compared to other treatments. In conclusion, the inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi significantly improves the mycorrhizal characteristics of Cenchrus ciliaris and its rhizospheric soil and ultimately enhances the growth and physiological parameters of Cenchrus ciliaris.

Salinity Stress in Maize: Consequences, Tolerance Mechanisms, and Management Strategies

“…More than 30 different aquaporin genes are encoded in maize [352], and mycorrhizal plants maintain better water status in their tissues by regulating these genes. Although salt stress reduced the formation and colonization of AMF in maize roots [348], mycorrhizal plants are less affected by salt stress than non-mycorrhizal plants [351,[353][354][355].…”

Highlighting the diversity of the rhizosphere mycobiome of five native West African trees

“…Among rhizospheric fungi, mycorrhizal fungi comprise one of the major groups since they are associated with more than 90% of known terrestrial plants (Smith and Read, 2008;Nilsson et al, 2019;Islam et al, 2022). Mycorrhizal fungi significantly improve the absorption and use of nutrients by host plants, stimulate growth, increase stress and disease resistance, and thereby contribute to maintaining the aboveground primary productivity of forest and ecosystem stability (Larekeng et al, 2019;Thind et al, 2022). According to root morphological differentiation, there are many types of mycorrhizal fungi of which one of them is ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi.…”

Soil enzyme activities and microbial community modulation after addition of poultry litter amendment enriched with Bacillus spp.

“…Microorganisms living in the soil play key roles as plant protectors and growth promoters through phytohormone synthesis, antifungal activities, nitrogen fixation, and the solubilization of phosphorus and other nutrients (Bender et al, 2022;Biggs et al, 2021;Shi et al, 2018;Thind et al, 2022;Vuong;Zeng;Man, 2020;Zhang et al, 2017;Zhang et al, 2022). Adding beneficial microorganisms to the soil can maximize nutrient uptake by plants (Kirankumar et al, 2008), increase the growth of plants (Cummings, 2009;Guiñazú et al, 2009), enhance their resistance to abiotic stress (Selvakumar;Panneerselvam;Ganeshamurthy, 2012) and prevent various diseases (De Vleesschauwe;Höfte, 2009).…”