Host Influences Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity

摘要

A study was conducted to evaluate how a single host would alter composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community populations normally found in arable land. Four different experimental sites i.e Mukteshwar apple orchard (orchard), Almora grassland (grassland), Sattal forest with pine and oak (forest) and Salari cultivable land (cultivated land) were chosen in the mid hills of the Himalayas because of minimal disturbance, and having traditional farming systems i.e. farming based on organic manures. The above ground diversity was evaluated and identified at these sites. A maximum level of plant (herbs) diversity was recorded at forest site and was followed by cultivable land, grassland, and orchard. The indigenous population of AMF was highat forest followed by cultivable land, grassland, and orchard. The richness at AMF species level was high at forest and was followed by grassland, cultivable land and orchard. The soils were brought to the laboratory and equal amount of soil from different sites were used to cultivate maize (Zea mays L.) as a trap crop for AMF for six cycles each of 60 days and AMF population was estimated at each test site. The highest population after six cycles was recorded in soil of orchard followed by those of grassland, forest and cultivable land. The spores produced after these cycles were identified. Mycorrhizal diversity was high at forest followed by cultivable land, grassland and orchard soils. The study demonstrated the importance of the host in the life cycle of AMF.