Density and Phenotypic Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in a Revegetated Tailing Storage Facility in Ghana

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) aid the establishment of vegetation on stressed soils as they contribute to soil ecological functions as well as improvement in plant growth. Understanding the mycorrhizal diversity and density within an area is an important step in harnessing the immense benefits of mycorrhiza. This study assessed the diversity and density of AMF in a revegetated tailing storage facility in Ghana. A balanced hierarchical sampling scheme with 4 stages and 72 sampling points was used over four sampling periods. Seventeen AMF spore types from nine genera (Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Diversispora, Gigaspora, Glomus, Racocetra, Rhizophagus, Septoglomus and Scutellospora) and five families (Acaulosporaceae, Claroideoglomeraceae, Diversisporaceae, Gigasporaceae and Glomeraceae) were isolated and identified from the samples. The density of spores varied between 24 and 817; 21 and 303; 21 and 321; and 24 and 875 spores 100 g-1 dry tailing solids respectively for the four sampled periods. The spore densities for the control samples also varied between 85 and 307; 65 and 248; 90 and 321 and 70 and 287 spores 100 g-1 dry soil for the respective sampling periods. Recorded spore densities varied significantly within sampling locations (p = 0.000) and between sampling periods (p = 0.000). The density and diversity of the AMF found in this study were relatively high and may have contributed significantly to the revegetation of the storage facility. These findings are important pointers for the adoption of mycorrhization in vegetation establishment and ultimately rehabilitation of decommissioned tailings storage facilities in Ghana. Further studies should however be done to determine how the various vegetation types found on the TSF affect AMF diversity and density.