EXOTIC MYCORRHIZAE SPECIES INOCULATED PLANT SPECIES GROUPS HAVE DIFFERS EFFECTS ON ROOT COLONIZATION AND SPORULATION

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligated to the host plant, thus sufficient and healthy mycorrhizal inoculum production through the host plant is important. Growth mediums are also crucial for mycorrhizal spore propagation. The aim of this research is to determine the suitable mycorrhizal spore doses and root infection percentage for optimum plant growth at various host plants at different harvest times, along with mycorrhizal species and application doses. Three different plant family groups such as graminae (maize, sorghum), alliaceae (leek, onion), leguminosea (clover and alfalfa) were used as host plants and Funneliformis mosseae and Claroideoglomus etunicatum were used as mycorrhiza species with different spore doses (Control, 500-1000 and 2000 spore pots-1). Plants were harvested the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 8th weeks following sowing for determining root infection percentage (%), and spore production. Mycorrhizal inoculation positively affected the host plants growth, root colonization and spore production. It has been determined that root colonization and spore production significantly depends on plant groups rather than mycorrhizal species. Leguminosea family plant alfalfa and clover were determined to be the most suitable host plants for spore production. Results revealed that in both mycorrhizal species inoculations, maize has the highest root colonization followed by alfalfa, onion and leek. Alfalfa produced high spore which was followed by clover, maize and onion. Although, both mycorrhizae species increased root infection level however, F. mosseae is more effective than C etunicatum. The highest root infection and spore production were determined at the 4th and 5th weeks after sowing. The application of 500 spore plant-1 was found to be sufficient for root infection and spore production.