Distribution of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in AlJabal Alakhdar Area, East Libya

In order to investigate occurrence and distribution of Arbscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in Aljabal Alakhthar area, east Libya. Roots and rhizosphere soil of 49 cultivated plants belonging to 7 families from 8 locations were collected. The percentage of root colonized by AMF was estimated. Spores extracted from soil samples were counted and morphologically identified to genus. The results indicate that all examined plants were colonized by AMF. Colonization rate and spore abundance differed according to location and plant. Colonization rate range from 97% in Petro selinum at Alqubbah location to 29 % in Vicia faba at Almarj. While spore abundance range from 992 spores / 100gm soil accompanied with Vicia faba at West alawilia location to 121 spores / 100gm accompanied with Avena sativa at Alqubbbah. As average of all locations, the plants belonging to Apiaceae had the highest colonization percentage where the plants belonging to Cucurbitaceae had the highest spore abundance. Lumloda location records the highest colonization rate. There was no correlation detected between root colonization rate and spore abundance. However, soil available phosphorus and clay percentage negatively correlated with degree of AM root colonization. Positive correlation was found between silt percentage and spore abundance. Glomus was the most abundant genus in all studied locations followed by Acaulosora, Gigaspora and Scutellospora.