Highlighting Mycorrhizal Structures in Roots of Zea mays L.

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the key economic activities designed to provide food for a growing population. It is expected that 21st-century agriculture will try to reduce the number of fertilizers by using microorganisms, in this category arbuscular mycorrhizas representing a complex set of benefits for plants and ecosystem services. The aim of this paper is to identify the mycorrhizal structures present in the roots of Zea mays. The objectives of the research are: i) are mycorrhizae natively present in the corn root and have a constant presence from the first stages of plant development? and ii) what kind of colonization pattern is characteristic of these roots? Maize has prominent fasciculate roots, and due to its intense branching capacity provides increased biological support for the establishment of mycorrhizal symbionts. Within the fungal structures highlighted, the most prominent were arbuscules and vesicles. Arum-type arbuscules were mostly observed, Paris-type arbuscules being less common in this species. Vesicles have a low frequency in the root cortex. They are present only in the early stages of plant development. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae are present in the root of the Zea mays plant with a constant presence, without major fluctuations.