Ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with Carica papaya L. in agro-based ecosystem of Goa, India

Abstract

In the present investigation, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association in mono-culture plantation of Carica papaya L. was studied. Similar root colonization and spore density patterns of AM fungi were recorded for two consecutive years. The mean total colonization was lowest in April and highest in July, whereas spore density was minimum in October and maximum in April. Pearson's correlation revealed that root colonization and spore density were influenced by climatic as well as edaphic factors. Species richness of AM fungi varied from 5 to 9 species per sampling period. The present study recorded a total of 18 AM fungal species belonging to four genera: Acaulospora, Glomus, Gigaspora, and Scutellospora. Glomus claroideum was the most frequently occurring species and was recovered throughout the study period. Arbuscular mycorrhiza are well established in Carica papaya, exhibiting variations depending on edaphic factors and seasonal patterns in the weather.