ISOLATION OF ACAULOSPORA SPECIES FROM JATROPHA CURCAS L AND PONGAMIA PINNATA PIERRE

Jatropha curcas L. and P. pinnata Pierre is gaining importance as biodiesel crop in India. Jatropha curcas L. a member of the family Euphorbiacea and Pongamia pinnata, a member of the family Leguminoseae. A study was conducted to identify common arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi present in its rhizosphere from different regions of India viz., Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Hissar (Haryana), Jhansi and Lalitpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). The results showed that different AM fungal species were present at different locations. A total of five Acaulospora AM species were recorded in different location of India. The highest frequency of occurrence was recorded for Acaulospora scrobiculata Trappe (100%), minimum frequency of occurrence was observed in A. mellea in J. curcas. The highest frequency of occurrence was recorded for Acaulospora scrobiculata Trappe (75%), Moderates frequency of occurrence was observed in A. mellea in P. pinnata. Maximum species richness was recorded at Jodhpur, followed by Jodhpur, Hissar, Hydrabad, Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Pantnagar. Isolation of five species of Acaulospora species (A. dilatata (Morton), A. denticulata  (Sieverding & Toro), A. Longula (Spain & Schenck), A. mellea (Spain & Schenck), and Spores formed singly in the soil, borne or in sporocarps, spores are globose and subglobose, borne laterally on subtending hypha of large, terminal, relatively thin walled, sporogenous saccule. Spore composed to essentially two distinct, separable wall groups: at least part of outer is continuous with wall of subtending stalk, may be pigmented, laminated or composed distinct wall, and variously ornamented; inner is composed of one or more walls that are usually membranous, hyaline, may be laminated, ornamented, and stain pink, red, or purple in Melzer’s-reagent