Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Plectranthus barbatus Andrew.

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are essential components of soil micro-flora. They, play significant role in plant establishment and its overall growth. However, information regarding distribution, association, and relative abundance of these fungi, with most of the forest tree species is still limited. During present study, various arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from the rhizosphere of Plectranthus barbatus Andrew were isolated and identified. For this purpose soil samples from four different locations were collected and processed to isolate arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which were then identified on the basis of their morphological characteristics.. These fungi included thirteen species of Glomus, along with four species of Scutellospora, three species of Acaulospora, two species of Sclerocystis and one species each of Sclerocystis and Entrophosphora. The most abundant and prevalent species was Glomus mosseae, with an average spore density of 24 spores per 50 g soil. Overall, study indicated that the rhizosphere soil of Plectranthus barbatus Andrew is rich in mycorrhizal biodiversity.