Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots enhances plant biomass,phosphorus uptake and concentration of root secondary metabolites

Arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungi penetrate the cortical cells of the roots of vascular plants,and are widely distributed in soil.The formation of these symbiotic bodies accelerates the absorption and utilization of mineral elements,enhances plant resistance to stress,boosts the growth of plants,and increases the survival rate of transplanted seedlings.We studied the effects of various arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi on the growth and development of licorice(Glycyrrhiza glabra).Several species of AM,such as Glomus mosseae,Glomus intraradices,and a mixture of fungi(G.mosseae,G.intraradices,G.cladoideum,G.microagregatum,G.caledonium and G.etunicatum)were used in our study.Licorice growth rates were determined by measuring the colonization rate of the plants by the fungi,plant dry biomass,phosphorus concentration and concentration of secondary metabolites.We established two cloned strains of licorice,clone 3(C3)and clone 6(C6)to exclude the effect of genotypic variations.Our results showed that the AM fungi could in fact increase the leaf and root biomass,as well as the phosphorus concentration in each clone.Furthermore,AM fungi significantly increased the yield of certain secondary metabolites in clone 3.Our study clearly demonstrated that AM fungi play an important role in the enhancement of growth and development of licorice plants.There was also a significant improvement in the secondary metabolite content and yield of medicinal compounds from the roots.     

Quantification of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli in Mycorrhizal Bean Plants and Surrounding Mycorrhizosphere Soil Using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and Direct Isolations on Selective Media

ABSTRACT The capacity of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices in reducing the presence of Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli in bean plants and the surrounding mycorrhizosphere soil was evaluated in a compartmentalized experimental system. Quantification of the pathogen and the symbiont in plant tissues, the soil regions of the mycorrhizosphere (rhizosphere and mycosphere), and the bulk soil was accomplished using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers in real-time PCR assays, culture-dependant methods, and microscopic determination techniques. Nonmycorrhizal bean plants infected with the pathogen had distinctive Fusarium root rot symptoms, while infected plants previously colonized by G. intraradices remained healthy. The amount of F. solani f. sp. phaseoli genomic DNA was significantly reduced in mycorrhizal bean plants and in each mycorrhizosphere soil compartment. The presence of G. intraradices in the mycorrhizosphere was not significantly modified, although the mycorrhizal colonization of roots was slightly increased in the presence of the pathogen. The results suggest that the reduced presence of Fusarium as well as root rot symptoms are caused by biotic and/or abiotic modifications of the mycorrhizosphere as a result of colonization with G. intraradices.     

AM真菌和镰刀菌对西瓜根系膜脂过氧化作用和膜透性的影响

 在温室盆栽条件下研究了丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌Glomus versiforme (Karsten) Berch和西瓜枯萎镰刀菌(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum)对西瓜根系中膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量和细胞膜透性的影响。结果表明,接种AM真菌的西瓜根系中MDA含量、组织自动氧化速率和膜透性均低于对照,先接种G. versiforme,后接种F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum处理的MDA含量、组织自动氧化速率和细胞膜透性均低于只接种F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum的处理。接种G. versiforme感枯萎病西瓜品种"郑杂5号"MDA含量、组织自动氧化速率和膜透性降低幅度大于抗病品种"京欣1号"的接种处理,说明G. versiforme可降低感病西瓜品种的膜透性和MDA的产生,从而有效地保护细胞膜系统,减轻F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum对西瓜的为害程度。     

AM真菌对红花生长及其有效成分的影响

丛枝菌根(Arbuscular mycorrhizas,AM)真菌是土壤生态系统中广泛分布的优秀微生物资源,是具有重要经济价值的药用植物。本文基于人工培育条件下对中药材红花(Carthamus tinctorius)分别进行摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)、根内球囊霉(Glomus intraradices)和混合菌(G. mosseae,Glomus etunicatum,Glomus microagregatum,Glomus caledonium,Glomus cladoideum和G. intraradices) 3种AM真菌接种处理,并以接种等量灭活菌种作为对照组处理。采用高效液相色谱法测定不同采摘时期红花绒中羟基红花黄色素A和山奈素含量的变化。结果表明:与对照组相比,AM真菌接种处理显著促进了红花生物量的积累,且AM真菌混合接种效果显著高于AM真菌单接种;在次生代谢产物合成方面,AM真菌接种处理以及不同采摘期的红花中羟基红花黄色素A和山奈素的含量差异不显著。表明AM真菌虽能促进红花的生长,但不影响羟基红花黄色素A和山奈素的合成。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improved plant growth and nutrient acquisition of desert ephemeral Plantago minuta under variable soil water conditions

Desert ephemeral plants play an important role in desert ecosystem.Soil water availability is considered as the major restrictive factor limiting the growth of ephemeral plants.Moreover,arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AM fungi) are widely reported to improve the growth of desert ephemerals.The present study aimed to test the hypothesis of that AM fungi could alleviate drought stress of desert ephemeral Plantago minuta,and AM fungal functions reduced with the improvement of soil water content.A pot experiment was carried out with three levels of soil water contents(4.5%,9.0%,and 15.8%(w/w)),and three AM inoculation treatments(Glomus mosseae,Glomus etunicatum and non-inoculation).The results indicate that mycorrhizal colonization rate decreased with the increase of soil water availability.Inoculation improved plant growth and N,P and K acquisition in both shoots and roots regardless water treatments.When comparing the two fungi,plants inoculated with G.mosseae performed better than those inoculated with G.etunicatum in terms of plant growth and nutrient acquisition.These results showed that ameliorative soil water did not suppress arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal functions in improving growth and nutrient acquisition of desert ephemeral Plantago minuta.     

Biocontrol traits of plant growth suppressive arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi against root rot in tomato caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium aphanidermatum</Emphasis>

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi known to cause plant growth depressions in tomato were examined for their biocontrol effects against root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum. The main hypothesis was that plant growth suppressive AM fungi would elicit a defence response in the host plant reducing Pythium root rot development. To test this hypothesis a fully factorial experiment was performed with AM fungi (Glomus intraradices, G. mosseae, G. claroideum or nonmycorrhizal), Pythium (± P. aphanidermatum) and harvest (7 and 14 days after pathogen inoculation (dapi)) as the main factors. Two weeks after AM fungi inoculation, roots were challenged with P. aphanidermatum. Variables evaluated at each harvest were root colonization levels of the interacting fungi, plant growth responses, and expression of a plant pathogenesis related protein gene (PR-1). All of the tested AM fungi caused marked growth suppressions, but did not affect PR-1 gene expression or the phosphorous concentration in the host plant. Plants singly inoculated with P. aphanidermatum had an increased PR-1 expression and phosphorous concentration. Among the AM fungi included in the study only G. intraradices reduced the pathogen root infection level, measured both in terms of Pythium ELISA and by recovery on selective media and only at the first harvest. Likewise, P. aphanidermatum root infection reduced colonization levels of G. intraradices, but not that of the two other AM fungi. In conclusion, plant growth suppressive AM fungi may offer plant beneficial traits in terms of biocontrol of root cortical pathogens.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbiosis for control of Egyptian broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) cultivation

The present study assessed the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers.) control to determine its effects on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) growth indices. This experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included three strains of AMF (Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices and Glomuse hoe ) at three levels (100, 200 and 300 kg ha^?1). The control treatments (without mycorrhiza) were with and without broomrape (weed infest and weed free). The results showed that the use of G. intraradices and G. mosseae decreased broomrape seed germination, the number of nodules and the dry weight of the broomrape and increased root area and dry weight of the tomato plant when compared to G. hoe and the control treatments without broomrape. The tomato yield in G. intraradices 300 kg ha^?1 treatment increased by 10 and 205% than weed free and weed infest treatments, respectively. Finally, G. intraradices and G. mosseae at, respectively, 200 and 300 kg ha^?1 are recommended for land under tomato cultivation that has been contaminated with broomrape.     

丛枝菌根真菌和甜菜夜蛾的相互作用

为探索丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌与植食性昆虫的相互作用,将摩西管柄囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae BEG167,Fm)、根内球囊霉(Glomus intraradices BEG141,Gi)和地表球囊霉(Glomus versiforme Berch,Gv)3种AM真菌以及甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua分别接种至花生和番茄上,通过测定AM真菌的侵染定殖和甜菜夜蛾的生长发育指标分析AM真菌与甜菜夜蛾的相互作用。结果显示,甜菜夜蛾取食菌根花生植株后,Fm、Gv和Gi的侵染率和泡囊数均有增加,侵染率分别是未取食的1.15、1.10和1.11倍,而Fm的泡囊数增加最显著,是未取食的1.27倍。在菌根番茄植株上,Fm和Gv的侵染率显著增加,分别是未取食的1.24倍和1.94倍,Fm、Gv和Gi的泡囊数均显著增加,分别是未取食的1.50、1.98和1.42倍。甜菜夜蛾取食菌根花生和菌根番茄植株后,幼虫存活率下降,幼虫历期和蛹期明显延长;Fm对其影响最显著,甜菜夜蛾在花生上的存活率、幼虫历期和蛹期分别为26.67%、26.78 d和10.67 d,在番茄上分别为35.52%、24.33 d和10.39 d,与取食非菌根植株处理差异显著。表明甜菜夜蛾能在一定程度上促进AM真菌的侵染和定殖,而AM真菌能抑制甜菜夜蛾的生长和发育,但其影响因AM真菌种类而不同。     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Reduce Development of Pea Root-rot caused by Aphanomyces euteiches using Oospores as Pathogen Inoculum

The effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)-fungi Glomus intraradices and Glomus claroideum on pea root-rot development caused by the pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches were investigated in a greenhouse pot-experiment, over the course of three harvests, using oospores as pathogen inoculum. Signature whole cell fatty acids 16:15c and 14:19 were used to quantify AM-fungi and A. euteiches, respectively in both roots and soil. Disease incidence was reduced in AM plants, though this effect was more pronounced in plants with G. intraradices than plants with G. claroideum, and corresponded with a greater mycorrhiza development, both intra- and extra radical in plants with G. intraradices than with G. claroideum. At the final harvest, percentage of root length with oospores was similar in roots of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. Despite the fact that pea root-rot development was only slightly lower in mycorrhizal plants compared to that of non-mycorrhizal plants, in terms of shoot growth and disease severity, mycorrhizal plants suffered less. This suggests a possible mycorrhiza-induced tolerance against pea root-rot. Furthermore, the degree of tolerance induction differed between the two AM-fungi included in the present study.     

丛枝菌根真菌与小麦孢囊线虫的相互作用

 近年来, 小麦孢囊线虫(cereal cyst nematodes, CCN:主要病原为燕麦孢囊线虫Heterodera avenae)对小麦(Triticum aestivum)的危害日益严重, 亟待探索新的生防途径。丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF)作为环境功能生物, 对寄主植物具有生物药肥双重作用, 不仅能促进植物吸收利用养分, 而且能拮抗土传病原物、提高植物抗病性。本研究以AMF与CCN相互作用为切入点, 试图明确AMF与CCN相互作用关系, 并科学评价不同AMF抑制CCN、降低病害的效应。试验于温室盆栽条件下进行, 设接种AMF Gigaspora margarita(Gi.m)、Glomus mosseae(G.m)、Glomus intraradices(G.i)、Glomus versiforme(G.v)、Gi.m +G.m+G.i+G.v、CCN、CCN+Gi.m、CCN+G.m、CCN+G.i、CCN+G.v、CCN+Gi.m+G.m+ G.i+G.v和不接种对照(CK)共12个处理。结果表明, 接种AMF各处理均能降低小麦孢囊线虫侵染率、土壤中孢囊数和根内J2数量, 其中Gi.m处理抑制效果最大;CCN不同程度减少AMF侵入点数和产孢数量。Gi.m 和CCN+Gi.m处理的根内丛枝着生数量最多, 而后者根内的超氧化物歧化酶、苯丙氨酸解氨酶和过氧化氢酶活性显著高于其他处理、丙二醛含量则显著低于其他CCN+AM真菌处理。Gi.m和G.i处理的小麦株高、地上部干重高于其他处理;Gi.m 和CCN+Gi.m的处理的单穗重和单株产量均高于其他处理。表明AMF能不同程度拮抗CCN、促进小麦生长和提高产量, 其中, Gi.m是高效菌种。结论认为, AMF与CCN之间存在一定相互抑制作用, AMF能通过诱导植株防御反应拮抗CCN。     

AM真菌和根结线虫互作对黄瓜生长及生理特征的影响

通过盆栽试验研究了丛枝菌根真菌Arbuscularmycorrhiza（AM）和南方根结线虫Meloidogyneincognita互作对黄瓜幼苗生长及生理特征的影响。结果表明,预先接种地表球囊霉Glomusversi—forme再接种线虫处理的鲜、干重较只接种线虫的处理显著增加;预先接种AM真菌再接种线虫处理的根结线虫病情指数、AM真菌侵染率较只接种线虫的处理明显降低;接种线虫使黄瓜植株的过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）及苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）、总酚含量有不同程度提高,其中预先接种根内球囊霉G．intraradices对黄瓜植株起到了较好的保护作用;与对照相比,只接种线虫处理的叶片磷含量降低了25．26％,预先接种AM真菌再接种线虫处理的叶片磷含量较只接种根结线虫的含量高。     

VA菌根对茄子、黄瓜的促生和防病效应

作者在盆栽条件下研究了Glomus versiforme、G.mosseae、G.macrocarpum和单孢分离的3株VA菌根土著菌对茄子、黄瓜的侵染、促生和防病作用。结果表明,供试菌均可侵染供试作物,但促生和防病效应具特异性。G.versiforme和G.mosseae均可促进茄子的生长,然而只前者减轻了黄萎病。G.spa使黄瓜提早开花,但不防病。G.macrocarpum减轻了细菌性角斑病的发生,但并无促生作用。s     

摩西球囊霉对紫花苜蓿烟色织孢霉根腐病的影响

紫花苜蓿Medicago sativa是一种优质的多年生豆科牧草,素有"牧草之王"的美称。根腐病是紫花苜蓿生产中的主要限制因素,可抑制植物生长,严重时导致植物死亡,造成巨大的经济损失。丛枝菌根真菌（Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AM）广泛存在于农业系统中,可与植物根系形成内生菌根,提高宿主植物对营养元素和水分的吸收,增加植物产量和抗逆性。本研究以紫花苜蓿为试验材料,探究接种AM真菌摩西球囊霉Glomus mosseae对紫花苜蓿根腐病烟色织孢霉Microdochium tabacinum的影响。结果表明,摩西球囊霉可抑制烟色织孢霉的侵染,植株发病率降低了20.78%;病原菌的侵染显著抑制紫花苜蓿根系生长和养分吸收,植物地下生物量降低12.87%,根长降低20.52%,根系P含量降低了18.29%,丙二醛（MDA）含量提高了12.78%;AM真菌可以缓解病原菌的危害,促进紫花苜蓿生长,与不接种AM真菌的处理相比,地上生物量、地下生物量、根长分别提高了47.77%,38.67%和20.67%;防御酶超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性分别提高了42.25%、26.05%和33.62%;地上部分和地下部分P含量分别提高了58.63%和75.38%。     

Glomus mosseae bioprotection against aster yellows phytoplasma (16srI-B) and Spiroplasma citri infection in Madagascar periwinkle

The bio-control potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae against two pathogenic microorganisms aster yellows (AY) phytoplasma and Spiroplasma citri has been examined in Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). G. mosseae had a positive influence on healthy C. roseus plants and S. citri infection. It provided bioprotection against S. citri pathogen and induced significant degree of resistance to spiroplasma infection. Besides, symptom expression significantly reduced and shoot height, leaves number, root fresh and dry weight increased in spiroplasma-infected plants treated with mycorrhiza fungus. Although, G. mosseae had no positive effect on phytoplasma disease. The root architectures were affected by the phytoplasma pathogen, and the root surface area dramatically decreased in G. mosseae treated AY-infected periwinkles compared with the control. Nitrogen and Phosphorus concentrations notably increased in spiroplasma + G. mosseae compared with control plants. Potassium concentration did not differ significantly in all mycorrhizal treated and untreated infected plants except in G. mosseae treated healthy plants. The spore density and root colonization rate did not vary in both pathogen treatments G. mosseae + spiroplasma and G. mosseae + phytoplasma. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the bioprotective effect of G. mosseae on S. citri. The possible mechanisms involved in complex interaction between plants, cell wall-less bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are discussed and the underlying mechanisms for the functioning of AMF are hypothesized.     

Protection of olive planting stocks against parasitism of root-knot nematodes by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The effects were investigated, under controlled conditions, of single and joint inoculation of olive planting stocks cvs Arbequina and Picual with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus intraradices , Glomus mosseae or Glomus viscosum , and the root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica , on plant performance and nematode infection. Establishment of the fungal symbiosis significantly increased growth of olive plants by 88·9% within a range of 11·9–214·0%, irrespective of olive cultivar, plant age and infection by M. incognita or M. javanica . In plants free from AMF, infection by Meloidogyne spp. significantly reduced the plant main stem diameter by 22·8–38·6%, irrespective of cultivar and plant age. Establishment of AMF in olive plants significantly reduced severity of root galling by 6·3–36·8% as well as reproduction of both Meloidogyne spp. by 11·8–35·7%, indicating a protective effect against parasitism by root-knot nematodes. Infection by the nematodes influenced root colonization by AMF, but the net effect depended on the AMF isolate–olive cultivar combination. It is concluded that prior inoculation of olive plants with AMF may contribute to improving the health status and vigour of cvs Arbequina and Picual planting stocks during nursery propagation.     

AM真菌对加拿大一枝黄花与菌根植物和非菌根植物种间作用的影响

为明确丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM)真菌对加拿大一枝黄花Solidago canadensis与本地菌根植物和非菌根植物种间竞争格局的调控作用,采用温室盆栽试验,通过接种摩西球囊霉Glomus mosseae(GM)、根内球囊霉G. intraradices(GI)及其混合菌种(GM+GI)3种处理,分析AM真菌对加拿大一枝黄花与本地菌根植物玉米Zea mays和非菌根植物油菜Brassica campestris种间作用的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,接种AM真菌均显著提高了加拿大一枝黄花和玉米的菌根侵染率,菌根侵染率为13.720%～50.015%,且前者的菌根侵染率明显高于后者。单独种植时,与对照相比,接种AM真菌尤其是接种混合菌种显著提高了加拿大一枝黄花的株高、叶片数和总干重。在加拿大一枝黄花与玉米混合种植时,与单独种植相比,加拿大一枝黄花的株高、叶片数、根长和总干重均较低;同时,与对照相比,接种AM真菌显著提高了玉米的相对竞争强度而对加拿大一枝黄花的相对竞争强度没有显著影响。在加拿大一枝黄花和油菜混合种植时,与对照相比,接种AM真菌则显著提高了加拿大一枝黄花的株高、叶片数、净光合速率和总干重;同时,接种AM真菌促进了入侵种的竞争优势而抑制了非菌根植物油菜的生长。说明加拿大一枝黄花与本地种的竞争格局受到与之混生物种的菌根依赖性强度以及AM真菌的种类差异影响。     

Effect of Glomus mosseae on concentrations of rosmarinic and caffeic acids and essential oil compounds in basil inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici

This study investigated the potential of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae to protect basil (Ocimum basilicum) against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici (Fob). It was hypothesised that G. mosseae could confer a bioprotective effect against Fob as a result of increases in leaf rosmarinic (RA) and caffeic acids (CA) or essential oil concentrations. Glomus mosseae conferred a bioprotective effect against Fob by reducing plant mortality to 20% compared to 33% in non‐mycorrhizal (NM) plants. This bioprotective effect was not related to improved phosphorus (P) nutrition, as AM and NM plants treated with Fob had similar shoot P concentrations (6 and 8 mg g^?1 dry weight (DW), respectively). Both AM and NM plants treated with Fob had similar leaf and root RA and CA concentrations. Furthermore, phenolic (40–70 mg CA g^?1 DW) or essential oil concentrations (0·1–0·6 mg g^?1 DW) were not increased in plants treated with the AM fungus and Fob. Therefore, the bioprotective effect conferred by G. mosseae was not a result of increases in the phytochemicals tested in this study. However, under the AM symbiosis, basil plants treated with Fob had lower methyleugenol concentrations in their leaves (0·1 mg g^?1 DW) than NM plants treated with the pathogen (0·6 mg g^?1 DW).     

水分胁迫下AM真菌和根瘤菌对沙打旺生长及养分吸收的影响

利用温室盆栽试验研究水分胁迫下接种丛枝菌根（Arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM）真菌和根瘤菌（Rhizobium meliloti）对沙打旺(Astragalus adsurgens Pall.) 生长和养分吸收的影响。在土壤相对含水量65%和35%条件下,分别设不接种（对照）、单接根瘤菌、单接摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)和双接根瘤菌与摩西球囊霉等4个处理。结果发现：干旱胁迫显著抑制沙打旺AM真菌侵染率（P<0.05）,而接种根瘤菌在两种水分条件下均显著促进摩西球囊霉对沙打旺根系的侵染（P<0.05）。接种AM真菌不仅显著提高沙打旺对P的吸收（P<0.05）,而且明显促进根瘤的生长。无论是在干旱条件下或是在正常供水条件下,双接根瘤菌与摩西球囊霉处理对沙打旺生长及养分吸收的效应显著高于单接菌处理,植株地上部、地下部生物量以及N、P、K等吸收量均为最大。结果表明：AM真菌与根瘤菌双接种技术在干旱、半干旱区受损生态系统的植被恢复中具有一定的应用潜力。     

Effectiveness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the protection of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) against bayoud disease

In the present study, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus monosporus, Glomus deserticola, Glomus clarum and a complex of native AMF coming from the Aoufous date palm grove in the south of Morocco) have been shown to protect date palm seedlings against bayoud disease. Treatment with AMF reduced disease severity by 8–77% depending on the AMF isolate used. In addition, all mycorrhizal fungi stimulate significantly shoot height and biomass and increase the number of leaves per plant. The plants associated with Aoufous complex present the best improvement of plant growth and great effectiveness in reducing bayoud disease incidence. Moreover, the AMF induce change in activities of two defence-related enzymes (peroxidases and polyphenoloxidases). The potential involvement of this induced biochemical defence reaction in protecting date palm against bayoud is discussed.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal association in Asteraceae plants growing in the arid lands of Saudi Arabia

The present research was undertaken to explor the possibility of arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) association with Asteraceae plants in the arid lands of Saudi Arabia(Al-Ghat, Buraydah, Thumamah and Huraymila). AM fungal colonization in the roots, spore numbers in the rhizosphere soil, fungal species diversity and correlation between AM properties and soil properties were determined. The highest colonization was in Conyza bonariensis(65%) from Al-Ghat, Anthemis cotula(52%) from Buraydah and C. bonariensis(53%) from Thumamah. The lowest was in Vernonia schimperi(41%) from Al-Ghat, Pulicaria undulata(25%) from Buraydah, Acanthospermum hispidum(34%) from Thumamah, Asteriscus graveolens(22%) and V. schimperi(22%) from Huraymila. Vesicular and arbuscular colonization were also presented in all plant species examined. The number of spores were 112–207 in Al-Ghat, 113–133 in Buraydah, 87–148 in Thumamah and 107–158 in Huraymila. Funneliformis mosseae, Glomus etunicatum, G. fasciculatum and G. aggregatum were identified. Relative frequency of AM fungal species varied widely and was irrespective of location and plant species. Diversity index varied with the rhizosphere soils of different plant species at various locations. Soil properties varied with locations and no distinct correlations were observed among the soil properties, root colonization and the number of spores. The results of the present study specified the association of AM fungi in different plants of Asteraceae and its significance in the ecological functioning of annual plants in the punitive environments of the rangelands in Saudi Arabia.