Assessment of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity Associated with Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Parner Tehsil, Ahilyanagar District. (Maharashtra).

Abstract In the twenty-first century, the agriculture industry faces several critical challenges, including the need to enhance crop immunity, reduce the dependence on chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, and herbicides, and most importantly, improve overall crop yield and quality. Onion is one of the significant crops that is widely cultivated in Maharashtra. Maharashtra produces around 8.6 million tons of onions annually. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are among the main components of the soil microbiota, with the potential not only to assist in the establishment of the host plant but also to improve overall plant growth. In the present study, we have isolated and identified the diverse species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with different villages in the Parner tehsil located. Rhizosphere soil samples collected from four different sites at the study location were processed for isolation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which were then identified using microscopic examination of morphological features. The AM fungi observed in the soil samples included eight species of Glomus, three species of Acaulospora, and one species of Scutellospora. The most common and dominant mycorrhizal fungi Glomus fasciculatum and Glomus geosporum. The present study was conducted during the period from October 2025 to June 2026. The winter season is characterized by moderate daytime temperatures, distinctly cooler nights, and low humidity.