Biodiversity of AM Fungi in Coffee Cultivated on Eroded Soil

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) play an important role in soil improvement, leading to the enhanced growth and yield of the host plants. The diversity, abundance, and richness of AMFs were evaluated in eight coffee plantations (Coffea arabica L.) with different erosion degrees. The results indicated that 26 AMFs morphotypes scattered across four genera were recovered and included five species. Funneliformis species were the most dominant representatives of the total isolates followed by Claroideoglomus, Rhizoglomus, Gigaspora, Acaulospora, Glomus, Diversispora, Septoglomus, and Scutellospora. The highest diversity and richness were found in non-eroded agroecosystems, followed by sites with a minimum erosion, and the lowest values were reported within the highly eroded agroecosystems. These results suggest that eroded soil affects AMF fungi, creating the need to carry out studies that allow for the implementation of cultural practices where biodiversity and soil are preserved.