Rhizophagus intraradices symbiosis with Amaranthus hypochondriacus improves rhizosphere soil pH and nutrient status in sodic soil

As a forage crop belonging to the Amaranthaceae family (often considered as non-mycorrhizal plants), Amaranthus hypochondriacus can grow in sodic soil. It is worth exploring whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can successfully form a symbiotic relationship with A. hypochondriacus to alleviate the environmental stress it experiences and improve rhizosphere soil quality. This study aims to evaluate the potential for AMF to form a symbiotic relationship with salt-tolerant Amaranthaceae plants. By measuring the colonization rate, biomass, and rhizosphere soil chemical properties of the plants, we assessed the response of A. hypochondriacus to AMF under different concentrations of saline-alkali stress. The results showed that Rhizophagus intraradices could form a good symbiotic relationship with A. hypochondriacus and reduce the rhizosphere soil pH and increase the effective nutrient content.