Diversity of arbtiscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in the rhizosphere soils of Pandanus tectorius in coastal sand dune ecosystem

Abstract

Coastal areas accumulated with sand are deficient in organic matter and consequently their fertility is low. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi help in establishment of plant cover, thereby improving the fertility of sand dunes. The present study was carried out to find out the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in rhizosphere soils of Pandanus tectorius. Seven species belonging to 3 genera of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were recorded. The spores were obtained as azygospores and chlamydospores. The spores belonging to the genera Gigaspora dominated the rhizosphere soils of Pandanus tectorius in distribution. The identified species of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi include Gigaspora albida, G. gregaria, G. heterogama, G. margarita, Glomus monosporum, G. multisubtensum and Acaulospora spinosa. Average spore count obtained was 307 spores/ 100 g of rhizosphere soil.