PLANT CELL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is considered as a safe solution in agriculture to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in our environment. The present study aimed to evaluate the density and diversity of AMF associated with date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Rhizospheric soil samples were collected from four sites of date palm groves growing in Ouargla region (Southeastern of Algeria). Obtained results revealed that there is no significant difference between all studied sites regarding physicochemical properties except for calcite, which was significantly high in Kser site. The spores density was also improved (p =0.05) by 345 / 100 g of soil in Kser site.  Based on morphological characteristics, fourteen species of AMF spores was detected in all studied palm groves and corresponding to eight genera  of Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Racocetra, Claroideoglomus, Gigaspora, Rhizophagus, Funneliformis and Glomus with Glomus and Scutellospora (50%) as dominant genera. Additionally, a significant inverse correlation exists between physicochemical soil parameters and AMF spore density such as organic matter, organic carbon and exchangeable potassium at p < 0.01. This study shows an abundance and diversification of AMF associated with date palm groves of Ouragla region.