Exploration and Identification of the Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) in the Rhizosphere of Citronella (Andropogon nardus L.) in the Dry Land Regions in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia

Climate change has an impact on the transition function of the wetland to dry land. This shift led to the increased of the dry land area with less potential for food crops and horticulture. Citronella plants have been identified as one of the lemongrass crops that able to survive in the dry land area. However, the resulting yield to produce citronella oil is still very low at 0.8 to 1.0%. In this regard, Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) was indicated to be able to increase the absorption of nutrients and water in many plants in the dry land regions. The type of AMF that compatible enough with citronella plant was not identified yet. The purpose of this study was to determine the number and diversity of AMF in the rhizosphere of indigenous citronella (lemongrass). The study was conducted from August to November 2015 in three regions of cultivation of citronella using survey methods and wet screening. The study found four important AMF geniuses in the study site; there are Glomus, Acaulospora Gigaspora, and Sclerocystis. Keywords— climate change; indigenous mycorrhizae; rhizosphere; citronella plants; dry lan