MC.F. VANLALMUANA, MARTIN LALNUNTHARA, ESTHER LALTHAZUALI, LALRUATPUIA, VANLALHRIATPUII AND R. LALFAKZUALA
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are the most common symbiotic microbes that associate with more than 70% of vascular plants. In this work, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal characteristics of 12 medicinal plant species in Mizoram, northeast India were studied. Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. showed the highest colonization (87%) and it is lowest in Hedyotis scandens (Roxb.) R.J.Wang (1.72%). The spore density of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ranges from 477 to 1479 per 50 g of soil. The most dominant genus of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was found to be Glomus. Isolation frequency of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is considerably high for all species. The Shanon-Wiener diversity index range from 1.14 to 2.24. In conclusion, medicinal plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi show various extent in terms of colonization and species diversity and the dynamic significance of AM fungus in the cultivation of medicinal plants deserves more investigation.