Studies on Am Fungi Associated With Andrographis Paniculata (Burm.F.) Nees From Tapowan, Amravati

Abstract

The current day emphasis is on sustainable agriculture, which uses less of chemical inputs like fertilizers and pesticides having adverse effect on soil health, fertility and environment. Thus, use of microbial inoculants plays an important role in sustainable agriculture. AM fungi are known to improve the nutritional status, growth and development of plants. Asian countries are very rich in medicinal plant species and are the major exporters of these plants and their products. These medicinal plants can be popularized and used to improve the economy of low-income countries of Asia and create livelihoods for its people. Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees.) is such a wonder plant which has numerous medicinal properties. Hence, the purpose of this research was to isolate and identify Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) associated with the rhizosphere soils of Andrographis paniculata and mass propagate the native dominant species for further studies. The soil samples were collected from Tapowan area of Amravati, Maharashtra. These samples from rhizosphere area of Andrographis paniculata were wet sieved, and AMF spores were isolated and identified morphotaxonomically. In all five species of Glomus were observed e.g., Glomus leptotichum, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus maculosum. The most dominant were of Glomus aggregatum. This dominant species will be mass multiplied and applied in further studies to study growth parameters of Kalmegh. The authors believe that, as this technology being simple can easily be adapted by farmers cultivating this medicinal crop.