Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal dynamics under Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. in Thar Desert
Introduction
The distribution and activity of soil microorganisms vary both temporally and spatially (Lorgio et al., 1999). Temporal and spatial variability in the quantity and quality of available resources are generally thought to be responsible for variations in the distribution of soil microorganisms (He et al., 2002). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are major component of rhizosphere microflora in natural ecosystems. Accumulating evidence indicates that mycorrhizal association plays a significant role in decomposition of soil organic matter, mineralization of plant nutrients and nutrient cycling (Tarafdar and Rao, 1997, Pare et al., 2000). Mycorrhizal plants have greater ability to absorb nutrients, soil water increased plant fitness, which may lead to better survival under stressed environmental conditions (Auge and Stodola, 1990, Sylvia and Williams, 1992). The population pattern of AMF varies greatly and their diversity is affected by various factors including soil, environmental conditions, host plant and agricultural practices (Sanders, 1990, McGonigle and Miller, 1996). In addition, AMF colonisation pattern is affected by soil pH (Wang et al., 1985), nutrient level (Mosse, 1986) and interaction with other microorganisms (Bagyaraj, 1984). Host plant has a significant effect on AMF composition and diversity by regulating carbon allocation to roots, producing secondary metabolites, or changing soil environmental conditions. Every phase in the life cycle of AMF (spore germination, hyphal development, colonization, and sporulation) is influenced by plant roots (Sanders and Fitter, 1992, Bever et al., 1996).
Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. is an economically important highly endangered tree of Indian Thar Desert belonging to the family Rubiaceae. It has diverse medicinal properties (Table 1) and is widely used by tribal people and ayurvedic practitioners. Over exploitation of the tree together with recurring droughts have reduced its habitat and it is now listed as an endangered species (Bhandari, 1990, Shetty and Singh, 1991).
Preliminary studies have indicated that AMF are very common in arid soils and form associations with most of the plants growing in Indian Thar Desert (Pande et al., 1999). Panwar and Vyas (2002) demonstrated the significance of AMF in re-establishment and conservation of endangered plants in arid areas. Further, Turnau and Haselwandter (2002) also considered AMF as a tool for re-establishment of endangered plant species. AMF diversity plays an important role in determining the plant biodiversity and ecosystem variability (van der Heijden et al., 1998). Understanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of AMF diversity associated with M. parvifolia would be an appropriate strategy for re-establishment programme of this endangered medicinal tree in Thar Desert. Therefore, we examined the temporal and spatial diversity pattern of AMF under M. parvifolia.
Section snippets
Site description
The Indian Thar Desert comprises about 70% part of the Western Rajasthan, incorporating 12 districts (208,976 km2). In our preliminary study it was found that M. parvifolia occurred only at seven districts of Thar Desert viz. Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali and Sikar with a plant population of 3, 2, 4, 14, 3, 1 and 5, respectively. The area has an arid climate, with a nutrient deficient sandy soil, low in organic matter, uncertain and erratic rainfall and high wind velocity (
Results
Physicochemical properties of soil under different seasons of each study site were determined (Fig. 1). Soil pH ranged between 8.12 and 8.46, EC 0.17–0.29 dS m−1, OC 0.25–0.37% and Olsen P 4.01–5.86 mg kg−1at different sites. Soil pH and OC were found in increasing order during rainy, winter and summer seasons, respectively, where no significant differences were found in EC and Olsen P content.
Level of vesicular, arbuscular, hyphal and total AMF colonization differed significantly between sampling
Discussion
The influence of AMF on the diversity of plant communities has been widely studied, but the diversity of the AMF community is often neglected (Pande and Tarafdar, 2004). All AMF species are not distributed equally in soils. Large variations occurred in spore populations under the same plant species, which may be due to variations in edaphic factors (Lambert et al., 1980, Rabatin and Stinner, 1991, Carvalho et al., 2003). The distribution of AMF can be measured in terms of fungal species
Acknowledgement
This research work was supported by Department of science and technology, Government of India, New Delhi under SERC Fast Track Scheme (SR/FTP/LS-A-22/02).
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