Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 13 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 255-264
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260626
Efficiency of Native Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and Productivity of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) Under Varying Soil Conditions and Abiotic Stresses
Megha Rayate1, Sanjay Shinde1,2, Akshay More1
1Department of Botany, K.R.T. Arts, B.H. Commerce and A.M. Science College, Nashik-422002, SPPU, Pune, Maharashtra (India)
2Arts, Commerce and Science College, Lasalgaon 422306, SPPU, Pune, Maharashtra (India)
Corresponding Author: Megha Rayate, Sanjay Shinde
ABSTRACT
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic relationships with most crop plants, enhancing nutrient uptake and increasing stress tolerance, especially after pathogen attacks. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of native AMF associated with soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivated in Niphad Tehsil, including the villages of Vinchur, Takli, Khadakmalegaon, Sarolekhurd, and Ranwad. The research involved measuring physicochemical properties, AMF spore density, and root colonization in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils. The soil pH varied between 7.8 and 8.06, organic carbon (0.75-1.17%), available nitrogen (374.0-609.2 kg/ha), phosphorus (145.20-17071 kg/ha), and potash contents were quantified within a range of 224 kg/ha. The spore count per 100 g of dry soil was consistently higher in rhizosphere (840-1280) soils compared to non-rhizosphere (680-980) soils, indicating a preference for AMF communities near roots. This work of AMF structures, such as vesicles, arbuscules, and extraradical hyphae, at the root level confirmed infection with typical AMF spores. In the pot experiment, water deficiency combined with AMF inoculation significantly reduced soybean growth, with root length of 0.9 cm and shoot length of 21.5 cm under water stress. Conversely, plant roots (16 cm), shoots (33.6 cm), leaf size (6 cm), pod number per plant, and pod length were affected accordingly. AMF- colonized plants produced significantly (P < 0.01) more root and shoot biomass than their non-mycorrhizal counterparts under salt stress (50 mM and 100 mM NaCl). Multiplied sorghum, a high-yield host, was utilized to culture native AMF isolates. Overall, these findings demonstrate that native AMF isolates enhance soybean growth under normal conditions and various abiotic stresses, indicating they could serve as a sustainable bio-inoculant for rainfed and saline-affected regions.
Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), soybean (Glycine max), rhizosphere soil, water stress, salinity stress, root colonization
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