Abstract

The hydrolytic activities (cellulases and pectinases) of some arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from four study sites; namely,- Malete, Bacita, Pategi and Ilorin; in southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria were studied. The DNA, RNA and protein contents of their spores were also quantified. Significant differences were observed in the hydrolytic activities of the AMF isolates. Pectinase activity of Malete AMF was F11, 22 =192.4; (p < 0.05); from Ilorin AMF was F13, 26 =1.38; from Bacita AMF was F8, 16 = 7.5; while from Pategi AMF was F10, 20 = 3.64. On the other hand, cellulase activity of Malete AMF was F11, 22 = 1.58; while in Ilorin, it was F 13 26 =2945.21; and in Bacita, it was F 8, 16 = 3849.34 AMF and in soil from Pategi, F 10, 20 = 5.681.23. Variations in DNA, RNA and protein contents of the 13 isolates were also observed. Scutellospora reticulata was predominant in all the soils; it had the highest hydrolytic activity and highest DNA, RNA and protein contents followed by Glomus pansihalos.

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