COLONIZATION OF PLANTS GROWING IN POLLUTED AND UNPOLLUTED SOILS BY VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

The vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization levels in roots of w eeds grown in unpolluted and polluted soils (industrial and sewage eff luents) were determined. The weeds growing in unpolluted soil have sho wn 36-100% of VAM root colonization while those growing in soil pollut ed with industrial pollutants exhibited less infection 36-88%. The wee ds in soil polluted with sewage pollutants have shown 24-52% VAM root colonization. There is significant impact of industrial and sewage eff luents on percentage VAM root colonization in the weeds growing. Inter estingly Parthenium hysterophorus recorded maximum percentage of VAM r oot colonization both in polluted and unpolluted soils. Achyranthes as pera though found growing in polluted and unpolluted soils did not sho w any mycorrhizal infection.