Association and diversity of AM Fungi with plantation crops

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are the naturally occurring fungal component of soil micro biota in most terrestrial ecosystems and posses great potential to enhance plant growth mainly through increased uptake of phosphorus and also act as bioprotactants against various pathogens resulting to above ground productivity. AMF associated with rhizosphere of plantation crops - tea, rubber, coffee and areca-nut grown in North Bengal were extensively studied in relation to their population in soil, colonization as well as their diversification. Root length colonization was highest (84%) in rubber followed by 80%, 76%, and 74% for areca-nut, tea and coffee respectively. In spite of seasonal variation spore count was highest in rubber comprising 422 spores/100gm of soil. Spore concentration differed slightly in areca-nut, coffee and tea. Predominant existence of various species of Glomus was determined and Glomus constrictum, G. mosseae, G. fasciculatum were the most common of them. Besides, species of Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Gigaspora and Sclerocystis were also documented. Among them, two AMF Glomus mosseae and Glomus fasciculatum were mass multiplied separately in Zea mays, Sorghum vulgare and Cynodon dactylon as host. Best colonization was noticed in Sorghum vulgare.