Response of the Leek (Allium porrum)-Mycorrhizal Fungus Symbiosis to Cutting Levels, Light Exposure and Seedling Density

This work aims to assess the leek-arbuscular fungus symbiosis response to the effect of cutting and light exposure on the one hand, and the impact of seedling density on this symbiosis on the other hand. Allium Porrum was grown in a container in two different trials. Four species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Glomus hoi, Scutellospora gregaria, Rhizophagus intraradices and Gigaspora margarita were used to constitute the mycorrhizal inoculum. After 150 days of growth and inoculation, a series of cuts were made on the aerial part (0% = zero cut, 50% = half cut, 100% = whole cut). Plants that had undergone these treatments were placed in shade and sun for 30 days. The leek density per bag was varied by the order of 1, 2, 3 and 4 plant (s) by the pocket density test. Results showed that for 0% of cut in the shade, the vesicle occurrence decreases from 83.33% to 52.22%, and from 90% to 25.5% for 50% of cut in the shade. On the other hand, there is a significant increase in intra-root spores for a complete cut compared to other levels of cuts. For extra-root sporulation, under light, cuts have a negative and weak effect (from -11 to -3%) while in the absence of light, cuts have significant positive effects (from +16 to +61%). Regarding seedling density, the best root colonization (90%) and biomass production (14 g) are obtained with three plants per pot, but it is rather with a density of two plants per pot that extra-root sporulation is higher (153 spores/g). Variation in light, cut level and density significantly affects the development of mycorrhizal fungi.