INVESTIGATION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI FROM WEEDS PLANTS GROWN IN TITICUM AESTIVUM FIELD IN DISTRICT CHARSADDA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is an association between fungi and more than 80% of land plants, which play an important role in plant growth and yield production. In this study we identified the weed species and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) field at four localities viz Ghazgai, Palosa, Sardeheri and Mangha dargi, District Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Fifteen species belonging to 12 families were found distributed as wheat’s weeds in the study area. The most important family in terms of species representation were Asteraceae (3 genera and 3 species) followed Fabaceae (1 genus and 2 species) Euphorbiaceae, Cryophyllaceae, Leguminaceae, Papaveraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Cannabinaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae and Polygonaceae. The increase of AMF root colonization was highest in Mangha dargi (25-119 %) followed by the others localities, Ghazgai (40-90 %), Sardeheri (34-80 %age) and Palosa (24-80 %). Moreover, Great AMF (TSD) per hundred gm^-1 of soil abundance were recorded in Ghazgai (65-131 gm^-1)followed by Mangha dargi(40-119 gm^-1), Palosa (46-115 gm^-1) and lowest inSardheri (40-107 gm^-1). The present study also included identification, classification and documentation of weeds in study area.