In Vitro Culture of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (AMF) in Root Callus of Maize (Zea mays)

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) forms symbiotic association with the roots of higher plants. It is beneficial to the host plant in improving the uptake of phosphate and other nutrients from soil and also in increasing the disease and other stress tolerance. The culturing of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in laboratory media is difficult because of its obligate symbiotic nature. The in vitro culture of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi has been attempted in maize root callus for which Glomus sp isolated from the rhizosphere soil of maize was used. The root callus formation in maize was tried in different media and MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D 2mg/l + kinetin 0.2mg/l recorded the highest callus induction percentage of 68. The root callus was transferred to MSR medium supplemented with maize root exudates to trigger the formation of AM hyphae and vesicles in root callus.