Effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on the physiological and biochemical changes of five different tree seedlings grown under nursery conditions

Abstract

The symbiotic association between certain plants and microorganisms plays an important role in soil fertilization, and improves their growth and mineral nutrition. The symbiotic association between
vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and roots provides a significant contribution to plant nutrition and growth. VAM mycelium in soil results in greater efficiency of nutrient absorption particularly for slowly diffusing mineral ions, especially phosphorous. The present investigation aims at studying the effects of VAM fungi on the physiological changes of the selected tree seedlings viz.,
Cassia siamea, Delonix regia, Erythrina variegata, Samanea saman and Sterculia foetida. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein, nitrate, nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium content increased in VAM fungus treated seedlings compared with non-mycorrhizal tree seedlings. The total soluble sugars and soluble starch contents in the leaves of all the selected tree
species in the present study showed a decrease in mycorrhizal seedlings than non-mycorrhizal seedlings.