Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) diversity and population dynamics in organic vs Chemicalized fields concerning soil types, agroclimatic zones and different organic farming practices over seasons, in South India

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are crucial plant root symbionts that enhance crop productivity, particularly in organic farming. They improve water and nutrient uptake, even in stressed environments, and can strengthen plant resistance. However, AMF effectiveness in agriculture depends on specific crops, agroclimatic conditions, physicochemical soil properties, agricultural practices, and soil types in cultivated fields. This study examined AMF diversity and population dynamics (based on spore count) in organically and conventionally managed fields cultivating five vegetable crops across diverse agroclimatic zones, soil nutrient contents, soil types, and diverse organic farming practices in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu states of South India. The aim was to determine how soil, other environmental, and plant factors influence AMF community dynamics (spore diversity and variations on specific spore counts) and activities (root colonization) in crop fields. The AMF identification relied on spore morphology. Results showed that irrespective of vegetable types, AMF diversity and activity (indirectly indicated by spore count and root colonization) in fields were significantly higher in organic fields, correlating with specific soil types. This extensive preliminary study enabled the identification of some general ecological relationships between AMF, soil, and agricultural practices, guiding future research into crop-soil-AMF interactions to explore AMF application as a biological tool for sustainable agriculture.