Diversity of endomycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Helianthemum ledifolium in the Bni Guil area (Eastern Morocco)

Abstract

This work aimed to study the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) present in the rhizosphere of Helianthemum ledifolium in the Bni Guil area (Figuig Province, Morocco), known for its arid climate and desert truffle production. Soil samples from the rhizosphere of Helianthemum ledifolium were taken for spore extraction, while the roots of this host plant were sampled for root observation. The results of this study showed that the density of spores extracted by wet sieving was 165 spores per 50g of the soil. Identification of these spores indicated the presence of 37 species, belonging to three AMF families (Glomeraceae, Acaulosporaceae, and Claroideoglomeraceae) and one ECM family (Cistaceae). The Glomus and Acaulospora genera are the most dominant, with 17 and 14 species, respectively, compared with the other genera. In addition, the frequency of occurrence of the Glomus genus is higher (50%) than that of the other fungal genera present, especially the Terfezia genus, reflecting the scarcity of desert truffles in recent decades. The results of root observations showed the presence of ectomycorrhization with a typical Hartig network and no fungal mantle, despite the dominance of AMF fungi, indicating some host specificity towards ECM fungi.