Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae of Cassavain Northern Thailand

Wittayothin Yingkulchao CS-2 Exploitation of fungal diversity

Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae of Cassavain Northern Thailand

Wittayothin Yingkulchao1, 2, Phongsawat Khamsuntorn2, Sujinda Sommai2, Sayanh Somrithipol2, Nattawut Rungjindamai1* and Umpawa Pinruan2*

1Department of Biology, School of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Bangkok, 10520, Thailand

2National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand

*Email: nattawut.ru@kmitl.ac.th, umpawa.pin@biotec.or.th

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a woody perennial shrub, is grown primarily for its edible storage roots and it is also an important economic crop of Thailand. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) naturally live with plant root and increase nutrients uptake in plants, especially phosphorus. This research aims to study population diversity and correlation of AMF in rhizosphere soil of cassava plant. Thirteen soil samples were collected from the cassava plantation areas in Kamphaeng Phet, the samples were taken from 0–30 centimeter-depth around plant roots. The study found that the averages of spore abundance were between 0.36 and 15.52 spores/gram of soil while the root colonization percentages were between 0.04 and 48.57%. There was clearly difference in spore density across sites. The densities of AMF from soil samples with fertilizer and without fertilizer were 6 and 10 spores/gram of soil, respectively. The AMF were identified based on morphology and molecular phylogeny into 4 genera, namely, Acaulospora,Ambispora, Glomus, and Rhizophagus. A spore production of 3 selected AMF isolateswas studied by trap plot culture using sorghum seedlings as the host. The results show that Ambispora sp. M9produced the highest number of spores when compared with Rhizophagus sp. M8and Acaulospora foveata M11. This study provides essential information for the application of AMF as a natural biofertilizer in cassava plantations.