Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Symbiosis and Conservation of Endangered Tropical Legume Trees

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate fungi of phylum Glomeromycota which make symbiotic associations with various types of terrestrial plants in different parts of the world. In Indonesia, a total of 72 types of AMF are reported to be symbiotic with many plant species under varying circumstances. Glomeraceae is the family with the largest number of species (36 species). Three types of legumes endangered in Indonesia, namely, Pericopsis mooniana (Thw.), Pterocarpus indicus (Willd), and Kalappia celebica (Kosterm), also have symbiotic association with AMF. Fifteen types of AMF were found in the rhizosphere of P. mooniana (Thw.) and four of them, including the first type reported in Indonesia, namely, Glomus canadense, G. halonatum, Racocetra gregaria, and Ambispora appendicula. Roots of three endangered legume species were colonized by AMF, and internal hyphae showed common AMF structures. AMF inoculation promotes the growth and improvement of tropical forest plantation quality on a greenhouse and nursery scale. AMF is also effective in the improvement and cultivation of endangered species (P. mooniana and P. indicus) and can significantly accelerate the succession and the success of living species in conservation programs and forest restoration types.