European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Authors
Abdoulaye Soumare, Thierry Beguiristain, Ibrahima Ndoye, Robin Duponnois

Abstract
Sahel is the transition zone between the wooded savannas of the south and the true Sahara Desert. It is dominated by the Acacia genus (A. albida, A. senegal, A. seyal). Most of them yield natural gum of different types, but only those varieties produced by A. senegal and A. seyal are regarded to be of commercial interest. Sahelian zone is also a zone of cultivation of several other leguminous food crops or cash crops including groundnuts. These legumes are largely dependent on symbiotic microorganisms, especially arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF or AM fungi). Diversity and / or abundance of these fungi are a good indicator of soil fertility. In addition, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal determine the structure and composition of plant communities and productivity especially herbaceous vegetation. Introduction of Eucalyptus for massive reforestation in the Sahelian zone has caused a great deal of ecological concern, in particular their impact on the mycorrhizal potential in new area. The objective of this work is to evaluate this impact on diversity and abundance of AMF in soils under Eucalyptus plantation in Senegal.