This study was set up to evaluate the mycorrhization of Hedysarum flexuosum L., in relation with the soil chemical characteristics in the northwest of Morocco. A detailed description of the mycorrhizal associations in this specie soil and roots is reported for the first time in this study. Rhizospheric soils were randomly collected for spores' enumeration and morpho-anatomic identification, composite soil sample was taken for physicochemical analysis, from each site; three plants were sampled to evaluate roots mycorrhization. Spores number was between 1230 and 5840/100g of soil. The encountered genera were: Scutellospora, Glomus, Acaulospora, and Septoglomus. Mycorrhizal frequency and intensity have respectively reached 97.78% and 45.01%. The roots had typical endomycorrhizal structures: coils, arbuscules, hyphae, and vesicles. The rate of K2O, Nitrogen and P2O5 in the soils was respectively between 51.2 ppm and 218.7 ppm, 0.061% and 0.15%, 3.5 ppm and 14.9 ppm. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed positive and negative correlation between the mycorrhizal parameters and the minerals concentration of the soils. H. flexuosum is a mycotrophic legume establishing a close symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The endomycorrhizae can be a tool for the introduction of this forage in the degraded areas.

Abstract