Spore density and species diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with rhizosphere of annual and perennial forage crops

Abstract

Three perennial grass species and four annual fodder crops were taken to study root colonization, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spore abundance, spore density and AMF species diversity in rhizosphere soil at two times of sampling. The objective of this study was to record the AMF population in natural condition for its better utilization for fodder yield enhancement through fodder seed biopriming. Results of this study clearly indicated that perennial grasses had higher root colonization, spores density and diversity in the rhizosphere soil than annual fodder crops, which ranged between root colonization 42 to 88 percent in grasses and 32 to 79 percent in annual fodder crops. AMF spore density and diversity was also higher in perennial grasses than annual fodder crops. Among grasses, C. ciliaris had higher AMF spores in rhizosphere than other grasses and it was also higher than annual fodder crops. Four AMF genera were identified and Glomus had higher abundance and isolated from all the crops and grass rhizospheres. In annual fodder crops maize and sorghum rhizosphere had higher AMF population and least in oat.