Field Survey of the Distribution of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Relation to Soil pH

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether the commercial inoculation of particular species of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi into soils is likely to be limited by their sensitivity to soil pH. The distribution and abundance of VA mycorrhizal fungi in the Merredin district of Western Australia was examined in relation to soil properties (pH, clay content, organic carbon content, extractable phosphorus). Acaulospora laevis was restricted to soils of flow pH whereas Glomus sp. WUM 3 occurred only in soils of high pH. In this study soil pH was not strongly correlated with any of the other soil properties measured. It was concluded that the pH sensitivity of these fungi must be taken into account in the development of commercial inoculum.