STUDIES ON THE ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGAL DIVERSITY OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANT SPECIES FROM KODIKUTHIMALA, MALAPPURAM, KERALA

Abstract

The present investigation has brought out the AM fungal association in some plant species of Kodikuthimala, Malappuram district Kerala. Totally, 25 plant species belongs to 15 families were analyzed for arbuscular mycorrhizal association. The root samples of all collected plant species showed mycorrhizal infection. The percentage of colonization was varied with plant species and it ranges from 12 (Commelina benghalensis) to 79% (Sida rhombifolia). Maximum spore population was observed in Gloriosa superba (574/100g of soil) and minimum in Euphorbia hirta (143/10g of soil). Totally 26 AM fungal species belongs to 13 genera were found. Among this Glomus was most dominated. In most of the plants, spores of Rhizophagus fasciculatus are seen. Present study confirms the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal association in the collected plant species.