Arbuscular mycorrhizal status of Atriplex (Chenopodioideae: Amaranthaceae) with some observations of fungal endophytes in roots of Atriplex amnicola, A. cinerea and A. nummularia grown as exotics in a Central Anatolian soil

Abstract. The chenopod genus Atriplex (saltbushes) contains many environmentally and economically important species that grow in harsh environments where it is likely that root endophytic fungi contribute to their ecological success. Despite the Chenopodioideae being considered to predominantly contain non-mycorrhizal species, there are many reports of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in Atriplex roots but mostly without arbuscules being observed or their functionality determined. This study undertook the first systematic collation of this information (28 reports). Also, observations are included on fungal endophyte colonisation of Atriplex amnicola, A. cinerea and A. nummularia cultured as exotics in a Central Anatolian soil. With about 10% of all Atriplex spp. examined for AMF, 22 species are reported as mycorrhizal, nine with arbuscules (mostly at a low incidence) and clear growth benefits only in A. nummularia (2 reports), leaving open to doubt the universal functionality of these associations. Although, AMF associations in these species were not detected in that context, DSE and a possible actinobacterial endophyte were found. This work highlights the need for more work on AMF and other root endophytes in Atriplex across a wider range of conditions, and especially the need to demonstrate the functionality (if any) of these, possibly rudimentary, associations. Keywords. Actinobacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Atriplex, dark septate endophytes, root endophytes, saltbushes Correspondance. Ian T. Riley Citation. Jawneh K, Riley IT (2026). Arbuscular mycorrhizal status of Atriplex (Chenopodioideae: Amaranthaceae) with some observations of fungal endophytes in roots of Atriplex amnicola, A. cinerea and A. nummularia grown as exotics in a Central Anatolian soil. Studies in Soil and Plant Biology no. 1, pp. 12. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18854580