Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Diversity and distribution patterns of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo in Kashmir Himalaya
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Dar Bilal Ahmad, Yousuf Humeera, Qadir Rukhsana, Wani Abdul Hamid, Bhat Mohd Yaqub
Research Article | Published: 07 August, 2026
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Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Mycorrhizal specificity, Kashmir Himalaya
Abstract
Orchids establish symbiotic relationships with fungi through mycorrhizal interactions, in their natural environments, influencing processes such as seed sprouting, protocorm development, and adult nourishment. A growing body of research highlights the significance of interactions with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), through which orchids acquire mineral nutrients and, in some instances, even organic compounds. Consequently, AMF demonstrate considerable diversity and play a pivotal role in the orchid life cycle. This reveals a dynamic interplay influenced by various factors, including ecological filtering, dispersal limitations, spatiotemporal factors, biogeographic history, and the dispersal, diversity, and phylogenetic breadth of host orchids. The majority of outcomes reveal consistent emerging patterns, although challenges persist in generalizing them across all orchid species or geographical regions. To a certain extent, these patterns align with the natural principle of “everything is everywhere, but the environment selects.” Study was carried out to isolate and characterize Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungal species associated with Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo in the surveyed areas of Kashmir Himalaya, which include Glomus aggregatum, Glomus ambisporum, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus mosseae, Glomus clarum, Gigaspora albida, Gigaspora sp. 1, Gigaspora sp. 2, Scutellospora biornata, and Scutellospora sp. 1, belonging to 3 genera were identified. This investigation enhances our comprehensive understanding of the diversity and taxonomic categorization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungal species associated with D. hatagirea across different sites in the Kashmir Himalaya region and allies for resource conservation and the rejuvenation of rare or endangered orchid populations. This study furnishes a thorough exploration, systematically detailing three different research sites investigating AM fungal diversity and specificitsy in orchids. It investigates into variations and adaptability of AMF across these sites, along with a comparative analysis of AMF within orchid soil.
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Author Information
Section of Plant Pathology, Mycology and Microbiology, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India