Modulating of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores by collaboration between soil fauna ecosystem engineers and biochar

Abstract

Soil fauna as ecosystem engineers and biochar play a role in spore modulating of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This study aims to analyze the effect of the soil fauna and biochar dosage on the AMF spore in abundance and diversity, and to investigate infection presence of AMF to maize roots grown in modified soil. Sixteen combinations of the soil fauna and biochar dosage in 1.5 kg of soil were tested. The abundance, genus richness, Shannon indices, and Simpson indices of AMF spore counted at 4, 6, and 8 weeks after treatment. Maize grown in different pots filled with 100 g of soil from each treatment, and root infection using aniline blue staining observed after 28 days of rearing. The results showed the total spore produced with 15 Pheretima sp. + 15 Ponera sp. and 50 g of biochar was the highest, while the treatment without ecosystem engineers and 150 g of biochar produced the fewest. Furthermore, genus richness with 15 Pheretima sp. + 15 Ponera sp. and without biochar was the richest, while the treatment without ecosystem engineers and 150 g biochar was the poorest. Maize grown on soils treated with ecosystem engineers and biochar dose up to 50 g sustained life, while the 100 g and 150 g treatments did not, as roots infected with the mycorrhizal. Based on the results, the soil fauna and biochar dosage to some extent increased the number of AMF spores and created a suitable soil environment for growth and AMF infections to maize roots.