Authors : Ashwjeet A. Gangawane, Bapu K. Avchar, Avinash B. Ade
Page Nos : 35-40
Description :
The present study was conducted in semi-arid regions such as Ter, Waruda, Naldurag, and Bamble of Dharashiv district of Maharashtra. Variations in AMF root colonization and spore density were depicted in different cultivars of Sorghum bicolor. AM fungal spores were identified. Spore density and diversity was enumerated. Sorghum cultivars showed a significant variation in AMF colonization and spore density. The highest root colonization percentage was 89.5% in the cultivar Dagdi, whereas the lowest colonization was found 62.3% in the cultivar Dukrii. Spore density varied from 482 to 578 spores/100g soil, with Glomus and Acaulospora being the dominant genera. In the mixed soil (533/100g soil), mycorrhizal fungal communities were found to be different. The genus, Glomus was found to be dominant with the species G. moculosum, G. fistulossum, G. deserticola, G. multicaule, G. fasciculatum, and G. macrocarpum. The analysis demonstrated that root colonization was positively correlated with soil organic matter, pH, and available phosphorus content. Alkaline soils (pH 7.8–8.2) were found to harbor higher AMF spore densities compared to acidic soils. This variation indicates that soil environment and crop genotype strongly influence fungal diversity and colonization. AMF associations significantly improved nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus and zinc, while enhancing drought tolerance and water-use efficiency in sorghum cultivars. The fungal symbiosis also promoted soil aggregation and carbon sequestration, making AMF an important component of sustainable agriculture in semi-arid ecosystems. The present research highlights the potential of AMF in sustainable sorghum production, emphasizing the need for inoculation-based management strategies to improve soil health and yield under resource-limited conditions. Future investigations should focus on testing the efficiency of native AMF inoculants, cultivar-specific AMF interactions, and their long-term ecological impacts on sorghum-based agroecosystems.
