Site characteristics and vegetation drive the abundance and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi in selected land degradation surveillance framework study sites in kenya

Background: In tropical agroecosystems, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is an essential component of soil fertility. Limited number of studies have emphasized the effects of vegetation type and soil physico-chemical characteristics on AMF communities, although several studies have stressed the importance of AMF in agroecosystems. Objective: To evaluate how specific vegetation types and site affect the physico-chemical properties of the soil and the abundance and diversity of AMF spores. Methodology: Three specific locations from the ongoing Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods (KCEP-CRAL) initiative were chosen to carry out the study. Kubo South in Kwale County, Muminji in Embu County, and Thange in Makueni County were chosen as the study's site areas. The sites were selected based on the implementation of a land degradation surveillance framework (LDSF), comprising both cultivated and uncultivated plots. In each study site, four vegetation types namely bushland, grassland, cropland, and shrubland were selected. Results: The results showed significant variations in soil physicochemical properties among different sites. Thange exhibited the highest carbon (C) content, pH, and exchangeable bases compared to Muminji and Kubo South. Sand content was higher (57%) in soils from Kubo South compared to that obtained in Muminji (41%) and Thange (27.8%). In contrast, the clay content was higher in Thange (58%) and Muminji (41%) than in Kubo South (27%). Vegetation type had a significant effect on soil pH and C only in Muminji. A higher abundance of AMF spores was recorded in soil from the Muminji site (385.0 spores kg-1 soil) followed by Kubo south (226.0 spores kg-1 soil) and lowest in Thange (67.0 spores kg-1 soil). Muminji had the highest mean taxonomic richness (3.21 species) compared to Kubo South and Thange (2.96 and 1.98 species respectively). Taxonomic diversity as shown by the Shannon diversity index (Hʹ) had a similar trend as richness. However, vegetation type only had a significant effect on AMF richness and diversity. Implication: The findings of this study may especially be important in agroecosystems since AMF play a key role in soil fertility and productivity through soil aggregation process, nutrient cycling, water relations, and in plant nutrition and health which contribute to the overall ecosystem functioning. Conclusion: These findings show that vegetation type and site influence AMF sporulation and diversity and hence may influence the AMF functions in contributing to the reclamation of degraded soil ecosystems.

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.5088

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