Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Maize in the Eastern Part of Uganda
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Improving maize yield is an utmost important objective for food security in Uganda. In the evaluation of soil microorganisms to crop production, it is important to assess the composition and diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) species at different agroecosystems. AMF play an important role in improving crop growth and yield. We present a study of the morphological diversity of native AMF species associated with the rhizosphere of maize in two locations in eastern Uganda (Amuria and Serere districts). The effects of soil chemical properties on this diversity were also assessed. AMF diversity was assessed by morphological identification of the spores extracted from soils samples by the wet sieving method. Spores abundance, species richness, and diversity were determined. A total of 19 AMF morphotypes were distributed in 7 genera (Gigaspora,
Scutellospora, Glomus, Acaulospora, Archaospora, Entrophosporaa, and Paraglomus) were observed. Glomus species were abundant in all sites. Spores densities were higher in Amuria than in Serere. Soil pH, CEC, and phosphorus content influenced AMF distribution. Finding the species in various agroecological environments indicates that they are adapted to the environments. Maize grown in eastern Uganda is associated with a diversity of AMF that could be selected as a bio-fertilizer to improve crop production.
Description
Keywords
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Morphotypes; species richness
Citation
Fall, A. F., Nakabonge, G., Ssekandi, J., Founoune-Mboup, H., Badji, A., Balde, I., & Ndiaye, P. M. (2022). Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Maize in the Eastern Part of Uganda.