Role of Edaphic Factors on Diversity and Distribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Mycorrhizae co-evolved with land plants and distributed worldwide from desert to alpine regions. Nearly about 90% of terrestrial plants in nature are symbiosed with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and form arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiotic association in plants, which is a rule rather than an exception. AMF, in general, have a wide range of distribution with their presence in all soil types and terrestrial ecosystems in a wide ecological range and climatic conditions. Yet the composition and diversity of AM fungal species varies with these abiotic and biotic factors, - climatic, edaphic and environmental, seasonal; Host Species/Cultivation - AMF species/strain compatibility. Though it seems all AMF species are cosmopolitan, we actually apply a limited number of species from commercial or non-commercial sources in all ecosystems. Are they not equally effective or have preferred niches? The changes in environmental factors due to climate change may influence AM effectivity, though their efficacy and distribution sometimes proved soil and strain dependent. Conventional agricultural practices and high inorganic inputs mostly affect AM symbiosis adversely and alter the AMF community of natural habitat and select a specific AM flora. Like higher plants, AMF too may have niche and host specific and some are endemic too. Our work aims to study the distribution and function of AMF in various habitats influenced by soil factors, and all the species of AMF are really cosmopolitan and similarly effective in all habitats.