SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND DIVERSITY OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN THE RHIZOSPHERE OF SUGARCANE IN THE GHARB REGION OF MOROCCO
ECH-CHEDDADI SARA *
Laboratory of Agro-Physiology, Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, BP 133 - Kénitra 14000, Morocco.
OUALLAL IMANE
Laboratory of Agro-Physiology, Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, BP 133 - Kénitra 14000, Morocco.
MOUHSSINE FATINE
Laboratory of Agro-Physiology, Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, BP 133 - Kénitra 14000, Morocco.
OUHADDACH MOUSSA
Laboratory of Agro-Physiology, Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, BP 133 - Kénitra 14000, Morocco.
EL YACOUBI HOUDA
Laboratory of Agro-Physiology, Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, BP 133 - Kénitra 14000, Morocco.
EL GOUMI YOUNES
National Agency of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Laboratory of Phyto-Biotechnologie, Taounate, Morroco.
ROCHDI ATMANE
Laboratory of Agro-Physiology, Biotechnology, Environment and Quality, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, BP 133 - Kénitra 14000, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study was conducted to investigate the soil physicochemical properties, the diversity of endogenous AMF associated with sugarcane, and to assess possible correlations among the soil physicochemical factors and the fungal community structure. The physicochemical analysis of the soils showed that they are moderately calcareous, calcareous, salty, not very salty to unsalted, with slightly alkaline hydrogen potentials. Concerning the soils fertility, they are moderately rich in organic matter and has medium to high levels of mineral nitrogen, assimilable phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium. The roots of the sugarcane were mycorrhized and showed endomycorrhizal structures of the AMF type. The intensity of mycorrhizal colonization and soil mycorrhizal potential varied from site to site. However, root colonization expressed as mycorrhization frequency was always high and varied significantly between the six sites (94 to 100%). The average density of AMF spores is 206.16 spores/100 g of soil. By analyzing this specific richness in AMF in rhizosphere soils of sugarcane, seven morphotypes were isolated. Analysis of the morpho-anatomical characteristics of isolated spores of the sugarcane rhizosphere revealed that these morphotypes belonged to three genera (Glomus, Acaulospora and Scutellospora). However, the genus Glomus has shown a large abundance. Variance analysis showed a very highly significant (P <.0001) difference in the number of spores between sites and between morphotypes. The morphotype Septoglomus constrictum and Funneliformis mosseae showed the major proportion of spores relative to other morphotypes. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals an apparent correlation between the abundance of AMF morphotypes and edaphic factors.
Keywords: Saccharum officinarum, rhizosphere, mycorrhizas, physicochemical parameters.