Interactions among arbuscular mycorrhizal (Am) inoculum potential of soil, landscape position and erosion

Edaphic conditions are largely responsible for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) spore density in soil. The soil characteristics of Margalla hills were analyzed for AM root colonization and spore density. Root colonization and spore number were least in the soil collected from most erosive positions. Topsoil eroded from surface showed relatively low AM inoculum potential whereas that of captured soil collected from the foot-hills revealed high potential. The numbers of spores recovered by wet sieving technique were significantly greater in captured soil. Spots that trap eroded surface soils moving down slope may act as an important reservoir of AM inoculum. It seems that the soil environment of Margalla hills will change as soon as annuals colonize the hills and this will improve conditions for mycorrhizal fungi to increase.