Abstract
The genus Bambusa Schreb. which belongs to the Poaceae family is commonly present in north-eastern region of India. A survey was undertaken in three villages viz. Tilikiaam, Maoutgaon and Nathgaon of Jorhat district, Assam, North-east India, where natural populations of Bambusa species were observed. Four bamboo species i.e. Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss, B. tulda Roxb., B. pallida Munro and B. nutans Wall. ex. Munro were found locally economically important and the rhizospheric soil and root samples were collected for screening of dark septate endophytes (DSE) as well as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization. Quantitative analysis of root samples showed the presences of all the three types of endomycorrhizal root infection/colonization namely hyphal, vesicular and arbuscular. Beside this, the dark septate endophytic infections were also observed in all the bamboo species. The cent-percent endomycorrhizal (hyphal and vesicular) and DSE hyphal infections were reported in roots of all the bamboo species respectively. There were variations observed in arbuscular infection in B. nutans and B. bambos (100%), B. pallida (90%) and least in B. tulda (70%). Qualitative analysis revealed that the Endomycorrhizae found in the rhizospheric soil predominantly belongs to five genera viz. Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora and Entrophospora. The genus Glomus, is the most dominant, with 17 species (61%), Acaulospora with 7 species (25%), Entrophospora with 2 species (7%), Scutellospora (3.5%) and Gigaspora (3.5%) with 1 species each. Distribution of AM fungi were highest in B. bamboos (67.7%) followed by B. pallida (19.4%), B. tulda (11.1%) and least in B. nutans (2.8%). Bamboo resources have been considerably declining due to exploitation, shifting cultivation, gregarious flowering and extensive forest fires from the natural habitats. Therefore, further microbial based applied researches should be undertaken to protect the dwindling natural bamboo resources and considering AMF bioinoculants in future management practices in order to maintain diminishing ecosystems.
Highlights
In addition to being susceptible to soil-borne pathogens, plant roots are colonised by non-pathogenic or mutualistic fungi like arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), ectomycorrhizae (EM) and dark septate endophytes (DSE)
The rhizospheric soil sample of four species of Bambusa i.e. B. bambos, B. tulda, B. pallida and B. nutans was collected during November 2013 from three villages viz. Tilikiaam, Maoutgaon and Nathgaon of Jorhat district, Assam, where natural populations of Bambusa species were observed
The collected rhizospheric soil and root samples were screened for Dark Septate Endophytes (DSE) as well as Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) infection/colonization
Summary
In addition to being susceptible to soil-borne pathogens, plant roots are colonised by non-pathogenic or mutualistic fungi like arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), ectomycorrhizae (EM) and dark septate endophytes (DSE). Mycorrhizas form a symbiotic association with the roots of host plants, where carbon flows to the fungus and inorganic nutrients move to plant These fungi develop external hyphae approximately 3 m in diameter (Simard et al, 2002). It has been well established that the VAM (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal) fungi influence plant growth and biomass production (Hall, 1988). This is brought out by alterations in host physiology.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
