Potential AM inoculants for enhanced growth performance and seedling survival in Nahar (Mesua ferrea) seedlings

Nahar or Mesua ferrea Linn. (Family Calophyllaceae) is a slow-growing, moderate to large-size evergreen tree species. Arbuscular Mycorrhize (AM) are well-known symbiotic partners that provide specific nutrients thus increase overall plant growth. The present study was undertaken to identify potential AM associates of M. ferrea for enhanced growth and survival. M. ferrea was recorded as a regular mycorrhizal species with high AM diversity at all stages of its lifecycle. Glomus, was the most abundant genus (15 species). The maximum AM species and spores were recorded at seedling stage (31; 96±4.67/100g of soil), while mature trees had the least numbers (11; 80±1.52). Total phosphorus was highest in the rhizosphere soil when number of AM spores was the lowest and root infection percentage was the highest. Glomus constrictum and G. feugianum, recorded with higher density (18.33±3.61and 31.00±7.55 spores/100g of soil respectively) and relative abundance (7.01% and 11.85% respectively), were selected to study their effect on growth and survival of M. ferrea seedlings. G. feugianum was found most suitable species with enhanced height growth (~172%) and seedling survival rate (80%) as compared to G. constrictum, both AM species together and control. Thus, G. feugianum may be used as potential mycorrhizal inoculant for sustainable M. ferrea plantation programme.