Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in turmeric [curcuma domestica vahl] an important spice and medicinal plant in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

The status of colonization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi [AMF] in the roots and AMF spore population in the rhizosphere soils of Turmeric [Curcuma domestica Vahl.] were assessed with the samples collected from Dashmail, Kantaji and Ramsagar of Dinajpur district; Thengamara of Bogra district and Boalmari of Faridpur district. Roots were assessed for AMF colonization after staining in aniline blue and rhizosphere soil samples were assessed for AM fungal spore population following wet sieving and decanting methods. Turmeric roots collected from different locations were found mycotrophic and the rhizosphere soil samples contained a large number of AMF spores. Significant variation of biodiversity of colonization and spore population were recorded in the present investigation. The range of AM colonization varied from 34% to 52% with the highest AM colonization was recorded from Kantaji [52%] and the lowest from Thengamara [34%]. The range of mycelial, vesicular and arbuscular colonization was recorded as 34-52%, 24-48% and 26-40% respectively. Poor, moderate and abundant intensity was recorded as 51-71%, 21-40% and 5-22% for mycelial colonization; 34-67%, 21-54% and 4-24% for vesicular colonization and 54-81%, 17-39% and 2-22% for arbuscular colonization respectively. Total range of spore population was recorded as 54-154 with the highest from Boalmari [154] and the lowest from Dashmail [54]. No correlation was found between percent colonization and the spore population. Glomus was dominant among the available AM fungal genera. Biodiversity of structural colonization in the roots and AM fungal genera in the rhizosphere soil samples of turmeric growing areas indicate the applicability of AM fungal technology in turmeric growing areas