Specific Variations of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungi in Potential Timber Yielding Tree Species From the Western Ghat Region of Goa, India

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal association in four potential timber yielding tree species from four forest areas of the Western Ghat region of Goa, India. The edaphic factors selected for the study varied within the four study sites. Significant positive and negative correlations were exhibited between spore density and root colonization of AM fungi at two sites, Collem and Dharbandoda. The study recorded the presence of 21 AM fungal species belonging to three genera—viz., Acaulospora, Gigaspora, and Glomus. The present study suggests that there is a site specific variation in root colonization (except at Mollem) and spore density as well as edapho-specific variation in association, composition, and distribution of AM fungi associated with potential timber yielding trees from four forest areas in the Western Ghat region of Goa. Further investigations of AM fungal dynamics if carried out can help elucidate the ecological significance of AM fungal associations in the Western Ghat region of Goa. To add, learning more about the ecology and intricacies of the AM association is crucial for attaining a good understanding of its life cycle and functions in edapho-climatic conditions of the Western Ghat region of Goa to further use it in the management of reforestation practices.

Keywords:

• arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
• Acaulospora
• edaphic factors
• Gigaspora
• Glomus
• potential timber yielding trees
• root colonization
• spore density

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the Planning Commission of the Government of India, New Delhi, for financial support.