Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with acacia trees in southwestern Saudi Arabia

Acacia species produce extensive, deep root systems with a capacity to develop mycorrhizal symbioses that facilitate plant nutrition via enhanced soil nutrient absorption. This study aimed to evaluate the mycorrhizal status and the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with acacia trees in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The mycorrhizal status varied greatly between species. The highest values of AMF root colonization and spore density were observed in the roots and in the rhizospheric soil of Acacia negrii. DNA was extracted from plant roots and the AMF large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) was amplified by a nested polymerase chain reaction. A total of 274 LSU rDNA cloned fragments from roots of the three acacia trees were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high AMF diversity, especially in Acacia tortilis. On the basis of LSU rDNA sequences, AMF was grouped into five genera: Glomus, Claroideoglomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, and Scutellospora. The genus Glomus fungi were the dominant colonizers of all three acacia species, while the genus Scutellospora fungi were found only in A. tortilis roots. The high AMF-acacia diversity suggests that AMF plays an important role in the sustainability of acacia species in the arid environment.