Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (Glomales) in Egypt. III: Distribution and ecology in some plants in El-Omayed Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

Roots and rhizospheric soils of 26 plant species belonging to 18 families representing five different habitats at El-Omayed Biosphere Reserve were collected and examined for arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) associations. Plant species recorded in the habitat of coastal sand dunes had the highest percentage of infection and spore number, followed by those of non-saline depressions, while those of saline depressions showed the lowest percentage of infection and spore numbers. There was a significant negative correlation between the percentage of infection and both salinity and phosphorus concentration in the study area. Cluster analysis in correlation matrices indicated that spore numbers, CaCO₃, Fe, percentage of infection and K were closely correlated.

KEY WORDS: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, habitats, sand dunes, salt marshes, Glomus

Egyptian Journal of Botany Vol.5 2003: 19-26