Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Manipulation of the AM fungal symbiosis for minimum input agricultural system provides an alternative to use of chemical inputs which have been associated with pollution and degradation of soil. The diversity,distribution and characteristics of AM Fungi indigenous to the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria are reported in this monograph. Spores of AM Fungi were extracted from selected soils from the zone, using the wet-sieving and decanting /density gradient centrifugation method. Thereafter,spores were enumerated and characterized using reaction to Mezler's reagent and microscopic morphological features. The soil pH, Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC), Organic Matter (OM), Nitrogen and Available Phosphorus contents of the soils were determined. AM Fungal spores encountered varied in colour, size and shape. Thirteen Arbuscular mycorrhizal species were identified. Scutellospora reticulata and Glomus pansihalos predominated the soils studied. Significant negative correlations were observed between AMF spore population and soil factors: Soil pH , %OM content; ECEC and % Nitrogen. The information provided here will be of interest to soil scientists and students of Agriculture.