BIODIVERSITY OF THE ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ISOLATED FROM CYNODON DACTYLONN.S. Raut, P.R. Dable and N.V. PhirkeAbstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are essential helpers in the soil environment. The symbiotic association helps them in various ways to improve stem, growth, tolerance to certain insects or prey, and sustainability under unfavorable conditions such as salinity, temperature, anaerobic conditions, and low nutrient requirements. In a study, the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Cynodon dactylon was isolated and identified. Cynodon dactylon was preferred because it is readily available. The soil to be analyzed for the arbuscular mycorrhizal spores was obtained from the roots of Cynodon dactylon. Mycorrhizal colonization and the number of mycorrhizal spores were positively correlated with host plant growth. Glomus species were abundant, unlike the other species found in the soil. Glomus fasciculatum and Glomus macrocarpum were identified by comparison with previous research. The study also helps in developing biofertilizers for plant growth by providing them with proper mycorrhizal nutrients in the form of colonized roots. |