Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated to Tree Species in Semiarid Areas of Machakos, Kenya
2002
Mutabaruka, R. | Mutabaruka, C. | Fernandez, I.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and water retention in roots of four different agroforestry trees intercropped with maize in a semiarid area at Machacos, Kenya, were studied. A randomized block design with four replicates and five treatments consisting of Melia volkensii, Senna spectabilis, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala , and control (treeless plots) was established. In each plot, spore extraction and AMF identification were carried out. Tree root samples from each treatment were collected and assessed for mycorrhizal infection and root water content. The results indicated that the trees under study associated with five genera of AMF. These were Acaulaspora, Glomus, Gigaspora, Scuttelospora and Entrophospora , of which the latter two were not numerous. When compared to other tree species and with treeless plots, plots with Melia volkensii had a significantly higher number of AMF spores ( P < 0.05) in each genus. Root infection percentages were also significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in Melia volkensii as compared to Leucaena leucocephala , Gliricidia sepium , and Senna spectabilis . Correlation existed between AMF root infection % and AMF spore number in the soil ( P = 0.7, P < 0.05). Root water content was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in Melia volkensii as compared to the other trees, and a significant correlation ( P = 0.9, P < 0.05) between AMF root infection % and water retention in the roots was also found.
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