Mapping of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in rainfed paddy fields (Case study: Seuruway Subdistrict, Aceh Tamiang District)

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance plant and land productivity by increasing the efficiency of plant nutrient and water uptake and provide protection against a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses. This study examined the spatial distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores in rainfed paddy fields in Seuruway Subdistrict, Aceh Tamiang District, using a geographic information system. Soil samples were collected from 20 sites representing four soil types: Alluvial, Grumosol, Yellow Red Podzolic, and Brown Podzolic. There were five samples for each soil type, each containing five sub-samples. The collection of each sample was done randomly at each location. A kriging interpolation approach is used in the system to map the geographical distribution of AMF spores. The spatial analysis revealed that among the 340,02 hectares of rainfed paddy fields, 65.30% had a deficient number of AMF spores (<3 spores 100 g −1 of soil), while 34.70% had a low number of AMF spores (3.1—6.0 spores spores 100 g −1 of soil). This study revealed that the distribution of AMF spores in the rainfed paddy fields in Seruway Subdistrict, Aceh Tamiang, was limited.