Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Associated with Long Term Wastewater Irrigation in the Peri-urban Soil of Varanasi

Heavy metals introduced into soil by irrigating with sewage effluent can influence the soil's microflora and, in particular, the profusion, miscellany, and activity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. This study focused on the spore density, species abundance and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the heavy metal affected soil in the peri-urban areas of Varanasi, on inceptisol after long-term irrigation. Identification through spore morphology showed existence of three species in the rhizosphere of fifteen crop species widely grown in the region. The physico-chemical analysis of the native soils revealed that they were neutral to alkali pH ranging from 7.3 to 8.9 and habituated three different species of AM fungi including Glomus mosseae, Glomus fasciculatum and Glomus intraradices. Spore density in samples ranged from 56 to 330 spores 100 g-1 soil. Species richness of AMF ranged from 2 to 3. Shannon-Weiner diversity index ranged from 0.497 to 1.053.