Effect of seasonal variation on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with date palm

Abstract

Effect of seasonal variation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on diversity of species population was assessed in the Tafilalet date palm groves. Root colonization level, mean spore density and species diversity were measured during the wet and dry seasons. The root colonization level was strongly influenced by edaphic factors and plant phenological events; whereas, the spore population was dependent on water availability. Fifteen arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species from genera Glomus, Acaulospora and Scutellospora were detected in Tafilalet date palm groves. Among them, 60% of the species population was represented by the genus Glomus. The natural root colonization and the diversity of AMF species associated with date palm suggest the applicability of mycorrhizal symbiosis in the management of date palm nurseries and grove establishment.