Study on the occurrence of vesicular-arbuscular-mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi in the root of Aeschynomene indica under the influence of various ecological factors

Abstract

Summary No vesicular-arbuscular-mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi infection was detected in the roots of A. indica plants, grown under water logged conditions. On the contrary, plants grown under normal moisture conditions, were highly infected with VAM fungi. Dry weight of shoots and percent VAM fungal root colonization were progressively reduced due to incorporation of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and glucose in the soil. However, concentrations of 2.0,1.0 and 4.0% of sodium chloride, potassium nitrate and glucose, respectively, inhibited the growth of A. indica plants. Potassium nitrate was more toxic to plant growth. Root colonization by indigenous VAM fungi and dry weight of plants were recorded maximum at 50kg P2O5/ha and 100kg P2O5/ha application, respectively. Amendment of 100kg P2O5/ha reduced VAM fungal root colonization. Upon exposure of A. indica plants to increased light duration, dry weight of shoots and roots and VAM colonization were progressively increased. However, 12h light exposure was optimum for the growth of A. indica and maximum VAM fungi root colonization.