Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization Status in Selected Alien Invasive Plants of Asteraceae

Abstract

Invasive alien plants tend to grow much faster than non-invasive plants. The colonization by AM fungi is confirmed by the presence of mycorrhizal structures in the roots of invasive plants. The pattern of hyphae and arbuscules denotes Arum and Paris type of AM fungal morphology. The most common and abundant invasive plants from Asteraceae family were selected for the study. Ageratum conyzoides, Mikania micrantha, Ageratum haustonianum and Bidens Pilosa were selected and eventually showed that they have a high percentage of mycorrhizal colonization. Arum type of morphology is found in three of the plant species and Paris type of morphology is found in one of the species. The extent of AM fungal colonization is fairly high ranging from 60% to 90% among the studied plants. The percentage of arbuscular colonization is highest in Bidens pilosa and the percentage of vesicle and hyphal colonization is highest in Ageratum conyzoides.