The relationship between soil characteristics and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi associated with Crataegus pontica

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are one of the most symbiotic in nature that has forced many benefits, including the absorption of water and nutrients in host plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between AMF associated with Crataegus pontica and environmental factors. For this purpose, 54 samples of soil and root were collected from a depth of 0-30 cm. Soil samples for extraction and identification of fungi and physico-chemical properties (soil texture, bulk density, thickness of the litter, pH, EC, potassium, phosphorus, organic matter, nitrogen) were transferred to the laboratory. The results showed that 13 species of AMF species associated with Crataegus pontica trees. Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Glomus caesaris were the most and Acaulospora thomii and Entrophospora infrequens were the least species. Also, the results showed that the frequency of fungal spores in the Dinarkoh habitat were more than Arghavan habitat. Furthermore, there are significant correlation between root colonization, spore frequency and soil potassium and pH. The results of principal component analysis showed that there are significant correlation between colonization and spore density and soil potassium and litter thickness.