VAM fungi in some ravine plant roots of Kumaun Himalayan Forest

Abstract

Wet and ravine forest areas of Nainital locality was surveyed to assess the VAM infection in some selected plant roots. Fine roots of selected plants were carefully dug out, washed and stained using root clearing methods and observed under microscope. Out of 18 plant roots only 16 were found to be associated with VA mycorrhiza. Acer pictum and Berberis species had no VAM colonization in this study. Percentage root colonization varied among the selected plant roots. In Valeriana wallichii 100% infection was observed whereas it was only 31% in Myrsine semiserrata. Vesicles were very common in VAM infected plant roots. The per cent infection was observed more in herbaceous plants followed by shrubs and woody plants. All the plant species surveyed were screened for the first time for VAM from Nainital, Kumaun Himalaya.