Effect of Aeration on the Dynamics of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Spore Populations during Propagation in Two Greenhouses

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) based biofertilizers are increasingly utilized in a response to soil degradation. Among the method for producing AMF-based biofertilizers, pot culture is commonly used to obtain AMF propagules, including spores. The production of AMF propagule is influenced by the condition of the planting medium and the growth of the host plant. Root development where AMF infection occurs, is significantly influenced by medium conditions such nutrients, water, and air availability. This study investigates the effect of aeration in the growth medium on AMF spore propagation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi culturing was carried out using 40x50 cm polybags filled with 10 kg of 8-10 mesh zeolite, placed in two different greenhouses (GHs). Aeration was applied by stirring the medium at the time pruning (harvest). In GH L, the host plant was grown for one period (5 months), whereas in GH U, it was grown for nine months, over two periods, with an additional planting after pruning (ratoon 1). The results showed that aeration by stirring the medium promoted spore multiplication, that increasing the spore population. The number of spores increased in line with plant age, showing a dynamic population pattern. In GH L, the spore density reached 14.8 spores g −1 in 114 days after aeration, while GH U achieved a density of 14.9 spores g-1 237 days after aeration. Extending the planting period after pruning (Ratoon 1) further boosted spore production.