Effect of edaphic factors on the diversity of VAM fungi

The present study deals with the diversity and distribution of VAMF at different sites with different selected plants. Maximum number of VAMF species were found at site IV (57 species) out of which Glomus species was most dominant (58%), followed by Acaulospora (19%), Scutellospora (8%), Sclerocystis (4.8%) and Gigaspora (1.6%) respectively. In site II 56 species of VAMF were observed with Glomus (55%), followed by Acaulospora (22.5%), Scutellospora (8%), Gigaspora (1.6%) and Sclerocystis (3.2%) respectively. In site III 55 species of VAMF occurred with Glomus (51.6%) followed by Acaulospora (22.5%), Scutellospora (9.7%), Sclerocystis (4.8%) and Gigaspora (0%) respectively. In site I 54 species of VAMF were found; out of these Glomus was highest 53% followed by Acaulospora (22.5%), Scutellospora (5%), Sclerocystis (1.6%) and Gigaspora (1.6%) respectively. These results suggest that selected study sites are rich in VAMF frequency and diversity. The Shanon-Wiever index confirms that diversity of VAMF fungal species varies with the test plant and maximum diversity was observed with Ocimum sanctum (3.948), and Withania somnifera (3.909) respectively. Maximum ANOVA value recorded in case of and Withania somnifera (0.20) and Ocimum sanctum (0.19) respectively. Maximum richness value was observed in case of Ocimum sanctum (0.3948) than Withania somnifera (0.0391).