Isolation and Identification of Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Roots and Soils of Different Plant Hosts in Syria

Al-Kharoof, Sh.A. 2024. Isolation and Identification of Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Roots and Soils of Different Plant Hosts in Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(4): 424-435. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001277 Thirty-six samples of plant roots with the surrounding soil were collected during the period 2021-2022, which included 5 sites in AlHasakeh Governorate, 3 sites in Deir Ezzor Governorate, 2 sites in Al-Raqqa Governorate, 3 sites in Latakia Governorate, 2 sites in Tartous Governorate, one site in Homs Governorate, 3 sites in Hama Governorate and one site in Damascus Governorate. Samples were collected during three months, namely February, March, and April. The types of mycorrhizae were identified by classifying them to the genus level based on internationally approved classification keys. Mycorrhization level in host plants was also determined. Five genera of mycorrhizal fungi were identified to be associated with the roots of the studied plants in the studied areas, namely: the genus Acoulospora, with general mycorrhization rate of 56%, isolated from the vicinity of plants of the leguminous family (faba bean), whereas mycorrhization rate in the Qamishli site was 20%, the genus Paraglomus was isolated from plants of the Apiaceae family with mycorhization rate of 20.8%, the genus Glomus was the most frequent genus in most regions surveyed, with a mycorrhization rate of 80%, the genus Gigaspora with mycorrhization rate of 62%, the genus Septoglomus with mycorrhization rate of 20%, the genus Entrophospora with mycorrhization rate of 11.9%. The survey showed that mycorrhizae appeared in all soil types, and they played a role in enhancing plant growth and production. Keywords: Mycorrhiza, locations, host plant species, Syria.