Functional Diversity of Mycorrhizal Fungi Has Differential Effects on Salinity Tolerance of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Acacia seyal&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Del.) Seedlings

Anicet Manga,Aliou Diop,Tahir A Diop

doi:10.4236/ojss.2017.711023

Abstract

Acacia seyal is a leguminous plant that plays an important role in the ecosystem of Sahelian zone by producing gum, wood and fodder. The growth of A. seyal is subject to many constraints as salinity which can affect the development of this tree. Therefore, soil microorganisms can help A. seyal to better tolerate the effects of negative environmental stresses. The contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to the salt tolerance of A. seyal, was evaluated by testing the effects of eight different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) isolates in the performance of A. seyal seedlings subjected to different levels of salinity (0, 340 and 680 mM). The results based on growth parameters of shoot and root parts, shoot mineral N, P, K and Na content as well as survival rates and mycorrhization showed that AMF improved mineral nutrition of A. seyal seedlings during salt stress. The combination between AMF and salinity provided evidence that the efficiency of AMF isolates were variable in improving mineral nutrition and mortality rate for A. seyal seedlings related to the level of salt stress. However, the effects of inoculation were variable depending to the AMF isolate associated with seedlings and the level of salinity, suggesting that interactions between plants and AMF can be modulated by both AMF diversity and the type and level of abiotic factors. Rhizophagus intraradices was more efficient at 680 mM NaCl in plant growth and mineral uptake while Glomus deserticola did not promote a better plant development than most of the other species inoculated to seedlings.

Highlights

IntroductionAcacia seyal (Delile) is one of over 60 leguminous African acacia plant species (family Fabaceae, subfamily Mimosoideae) growing throughout many countries from Senegal to Sudan, and in the eastern and southern areas of Africa [1]
Acacia seyal (Delile) is one of over 60 leguminous African acacia plant species growing throughout many countries from Senegal to Sudan, and in the eastern and southern areas of Africa [1]
The contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to the salt tolerance of A. seyal, was evaluated by testing the effects of eight different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) isolates in the performance of A. seyal seedlings subjected to different levels of salinity (0, 340 and 680 mM)

Summary

Introduction

Acacia seyal (Delile) is one of over 60 leguminous African acacia plant species (family Fabaceae, subfamily Mimosoideae) growing throughout many countries from Senegal to Sudan, and in the eastern and southern areas of Africa [1]. Adapted to a semi-arid environment, A. seyal is an excellent nitrogen-fixing species that grows in many soil types including periodically flooded [2] and moderately saline soils. A multipurpose tree, the wood of A. seyal is cherished for fire wood and charcoal production, and branches are used for fencing. Leaves and shoots provide precious forage, as do the fruit, and branches are often lopped by herders when herbaceous forage diminishes in the dry season. A. seyal plays a major role in fuel and fodder production in countries at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert [2]

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