Chiang Mai Journal of Science

Print ISSN: 0125-2526 | eISSN : 2465-3845

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Edaphic Factors Drive the Diversity and Abundance of AMF Associated with Cenchrus ciliaris L. Growing in Different Arid Rangelands of Saudi Arabia

Jahangir A. Malik, Basharat A. Dar*, Abdulaziz A. Alqarawi, Abdulaziz M. Assaeed, Fahad Alotaibi* and Muhammad M. Habib
* Author for corresponding; e-mail address: bdar@ksu.edu.sa, fanalotaibi@ksu.edu.sa
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3187-2421
Volume: Vol.53 No.4 (July 2026)
Research Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12982/CMJS.2026.071
Received: 30 November 2025, Revised: 9 June 2026, Accepted: 22 June 2026, Published: -

Citation: Malik J.A., Dar B.A., Alqarawi A.A., Assaeed A.M., Alotaibi F. and Habib M.M., Edaphic factors drive the diversity and abundance of AMF associated with Cenchrus ciliaris L. growing in different arid rangelands of Saudi Arabia. Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2026; 53(4): e2026071. DOI 10.12982/CMJS.2026.071.

Graphical Abstract

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Edaphic factors determine the colonization and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and colonize more than 70% of plants. This study is the first assessment of AMF characteristics associated with Cenchrus ciliaris L., a key palatable and sand-stabilizing plant across arid rangelands of Saudi Arabia. This study moved beyond a descriptive AMF study and analyzed root colonization traits, spore density, and species diversity in relation to edaphic factors, and indicated that colonization traits, such as colonization intensity and arbuscular and vesicular abundance, varied significantly across the study locations. The spore density revealed no significant variation, but ⁓375 was recorded as higher in Rawdhat Khuraim. Additionally, 13 AMF species belonging to four families (Entrophosporaceae, Glomeraceae, Gigasporaceae, and Acaulosporaceae) were identified. The highest number of species was recorded in Rawdhat Khuraim, while the lowest was in Al-Qara. The spores of E. etunicata were abundant in all four studied sites. Six AMF species, namely E. etunicata, R. intraradices, R. fasciculatus, G. ambisporum, F. mosseae, and F. coronatum, were the most frequently isolated species (IF > 50%) in all the locations. The correlation analysis indicated that edaphic factors such as EC, SMC, SOM, HCO3, Na, K, AP, AN, silt%, and sand% played a major role in AMF colonization, while diversity indices were linked to Mg and clay. This study showed that AMF can adapt to the harshest arid conditions in the rhizosphere of a suitable host and thus may aid in the sustainable management of the rangelands affected by changing environmental conditions.

Keywords: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, arid lands, Cenchrus ciliaris L., diversity, restoration

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