Extraction, identification and mass production of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from faba bean (Vicia faba L.) rhizosphere soils using maize (Zea mays L.) as a host plant

Ethiopia is the second-largest grower of faba bean in the world next to China. The crop is highly useful with its edible seed serving as an essential protein complement of the Ethiopian diet, especially for those who cannot afford animal protein. Even though faba bean is mycotrophic to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), the different genera and species that are associated with the crop are not determined in yet at the maturity time of the crop (harvesting period). Sixteen faba bean rhizospheric soils were collected to isolate and identify AMF. Spores were extracted using the wet-sieving and decanting method. The <i>Glomus</i> genera was the most dominant, followed by the <i>Acaulospora</i> and <i>Gigaspora</i> genera<i>.</i> The highest spore load per 100 g of soil was observed in the sample that contained the lowest soil phosphorus. Furthermore, an inverse relationship between the spore load and soil phosphorus was observed. Three treatments were considered for mass multiplication of AMF, viz, Treatment (1) <i>Glomus aggregatum,</i> treatment (2) <i>Glomus</i> sp.BZ, and treatment <i>(3) Glomus</i> sp.AZ. However, the highest number of AMF's spore and root colonization was seen in treatment 3 with significant difference (P < 0.05) from the others. In conclusion, AMF constituted an important component of the faba bean rhizosphere during its harvesting period (dry season) and its multiplication using maize favored the viability and infectivity of the fungi.