Ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal association in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) palms: Analysis of factors influencing AMF in fields

This study is the first thorough ecological analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) diversity in randomly selected traditional coconut fields across Kerala, South India. We conducted a critical analysis of AMF diversity, percentage root length colonization (PRLC), and mean spore density (MSD) across 248 sites, taking into account variations in plant, environmental, and soil factors like coconut varieties, palm health conditions, agroclimatic zones, soil types, and seasons in the region. A total of 23 AMF species from seven genera (Acaulospora, Archaeospora, Funneliformis, Glomus, Sclerocystis, Septoglomus, and Scutellospora) were identified, with Acaulospora scrobiculata being the dominant species in all studied fields. A critical analysis of diversity indices, including the Shannon-Weiner Index, Simpson's diversity index, and Gini-Simpson index, concerning variables indicated that soil series influences AMF diversity in specific fields. Correlational and principal component analyses highlighted the interrelationships between specific soil types and quality parameters affecting AMF characteristics, underscoring their crucial role in coconut palm growth. The study also revealed the ecological amplitudes of indigenous AMF species related to specific soil fertility parameters. Overall, this research serves as a model for identifying root- and soil-specific AMF in agricultural fields and provides valuable ecological insights for utilizing indigenous AMF species as ecotechnological tools for sustainable coconut cultivation.