Semi-arid eastern Kenya is a fragile ecosystem with continuous cultivation of dryland pulses and grains. Farmers use artificial fertilizers most of which are deleterious to the environment. Previous studies have shown that soil microbes in the rhizosphere could be used to sustainably enhance levels of soil mineral nutrients and soil health. However, few studies have examined fungal diversity in the rhizosphere of wild and native Aspilia pruliseta shrub. In this study, amplicons of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region on Total Community DNA using Illumina sequencing were used to explore the fungal community composition within the rhizosphere. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were analyzed using QIIME 1.8.0, taxonomy assigned via BLASTn against SILVA 119 database. Hierarchical clustering was done using R programming software. 72,093, 50,539 and 43,506 sequence reads were obtained from samples MC1 a , MC2 a and MC3 a respectively representing rhizosphere depth 0-20 cm, 21-40 cm and 41-60 cm. A total of 373 OTUs were realized at 3% genetic distance. Taxonomic analysis revealed that the genera Glomus was most prevalent in all soil depths with 85.60 % of the OTUs in depth 0-20 cm, 69.04 % in depth 21-40 cm and 48.45 % in depth 41-60 cm. The results revealed high levels of obligate arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi that if commercially cultured could enhance phosphates uptake in crops.
Mycorrhiza fungi are important components of soil microbiota in the rhizosphere and greatly influence uptake of mineral elements to plants. A green house experiment was conducted at the University of Embu. The experiment involved use of sterilized polythene potting material sized 30 cm by 40 cm. The pots were filled two thirds the height of the potting material with soil from a predetermined source in Gakurungu, Tunyai and Kanyuombora in the upper eastern region in Kenya. The soil used in the pots was collected from the rhizosphere of Aspilia pruliseta Schweif vegetation as well as adjacent areas without this vegetation as a control at 0-20 cm, 21-40 cm and 41-60 cm for each of the soil types (silty clay, silt loam and sandy loam) used in the experiment.Two sorghum seeds inoculated with mycorrhiza fungi were planted in each pot and a similar number of pots planted with un inoculated sorghum seeds as a control. Each of the 4 treatments mentioned above, was replicated four times giving n=144. Each pot was watered after every two days using a two-litre watering can for the first one week. Thereafter, watering regime was reduced to once a week but ensuring the pots remained moist. Watering was done uniformly to all the pots. This was maintained for a period of thirty five days. Data was analysed using SAS edition 8.2. Seed emergence, hypocotyl development and stand count were enhanced at P≤0.05 in both mycorrhiza fungi inoculated gadam sorghum seeds and in pots whose soils were taken from the rhizosphere of Aspilia pruliseta plants. The growth attributes had a positive correlation to yield at 95% confidence. Soil phosphate level was enhanced in both cases of gadam seed inoculation with mycorrhiza and in soils previously grown Aspilia pruliseta vegetation.
The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance soil phosphate uptake is a biological technique considered to cure phosphate deficiency in soils. This study investigated association of Aspilia pruliseta Schweif shrub with AMF in Kenya. The study aims at profiling a tropical shrub with multiple ecological benefits that could reduce addition of chemical phosphatic fertilizer into the soil and reverse negative consequences of eutrophication. Sampling was purposive to have areas with or without Aspilia pruliseta vegetation growing. A small amount (10 g) of the soil from 27 composite samples was used for spore count determination and a similar amount for next generation sequencing. Spore counts varied significantly among soil textural types, sample locations, and soil depth. Sandy loam had the highest spore counts with a mean average of 404 spores. The spore count decreased significantly ( P < .05) with the depth of soil from a mean of 514 spores to 185 along the rhizosphere. The intensity of spore morphotypes was significantly higher at P < .05 for soils whose vegetation was covered with Aspilia pruliseta than those without. Aspilia pruliseta vegetation used together with sandy loam soil could culture commercial mycorrhiza fungi production for use in agrisystems.
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