Spore-in-spore syndrome in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from agro-based ecosystem of Goa

Abstract

This study evaluates the occurrence of AM spores within the spores of AM fungi in the agro-based ecosystem in Goa, India. Spores of AM fungi associated with Carica papaya plants were isolated directly from rhizosphere soil samples. The presence of two types of Glomus microaggregatum were observed in the dead spores of AM fungi. A total of 15-20 globose, pale yellow to yellow spores of G. microaggregatum was recorded in the dead spore of Scutellospora gregaria, while more than a hundred loosely aggregated hyaline globose to pyriform spores of G. microaggregatum was recorded in Glomus species. This is the first report on spore-in-spore syndrome in the agro-based ecosystem in Goa. However, its significance to AM fungi is not known.