Abstract

Abundance and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soils under yam cropping fields in Dabakala, North Côte d’Ivoire were investigated to identify AMF species in order to set endomycorrhizal inoculation technology to improve yam productivity. Samples were collected at the locations of Bonieredougou 1, Bonieredougou 2, Souleymanekaha 1 and Souleymanekaha 2. Soil characteristics, AMF species, spore abundance and species richness were determined. Soils were either sandy loam or loamy sand, acidic and poor in organic matter and P contents. Boniérédougou soils differed from those of Souleymanekaha by their high coarse sand levels. After spore morphotyping, a total of 55 AMF species belonging to 14 genera were isolated with a range of 26 to 34 species recovered in a single location. Spore abundance was not affected by soil parameters while species richness was positively correlated (R = 0.71; p = 0.007) with coarse sand content and negatively with coarse and fine silt contents (R = -0.59; p = 0.042 and R = -0.65; p = 0.022). Acaulospora paulinae, A. scrobiculata, Ambispora sp. 1 and 2, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Funneliformis mosseae, Glomus sp. 2 and Septoglomus furcatum were ubiquitous. These species could be used as potential inoculum to improve yam productivity in the study area.

Key words: Yam, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, soils, Côte d’Ivoire.