Isolation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Rhizosphere of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Collected From Dama District, Guji Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have significant potential to enhance plant growth. This study isolated, characterized, and evaluated AMF from the rhizosphere of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) collected from five kebeles in the Dama district, Ethiopia. Thirty rhizosphere samples were processed using wet sieving and decanting to isolate spores, which were identified based on morphotaxonomic criteria. Root colonization was assessed microscopically using staining techniques. In a greenhouse pot experiment at Dilla University, 10 treatments (8 AMF isolates and 2 control groups) were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Twelve AMF species from four genera (Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora, and Glomus) were identified. Spore density and root colonization varied considerably across sampling sites. Inoculation significantly improved barley growth compared to noninoculated controls (p < 0.05). Treated plants exhibited consistently greater shoot length, root length, and shoot dry weight than control plants. These results confirm that AMF inoculation significantly enhances key growth parameters in barley, including plant height, root elongation, and biomass accumulation. The top-performing isolates from the genera Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, and Scutellospora should be evaluated further in field trials to confirm their effectiveness under real agricultural conditions, paving the way for their development as commercial biofertilizers.