Frequency of Endomycorrhizal Infection in Grazed and Ungrazed Blue Grama Plants

Abstract

The frequency of mycorrhizal infection in blue grama roots was determined from two criteria: (1) occurrence of any mycorrhizal element, and (2) occurrence of fungal vesicles. No significant differences were observed with respect to grazing using the first frequency criteria. However, roots of previously grazed plants had significantly higher frequencies of vesicles than those collected from exclosures. Frequency of vesicles was found to increase linearly with increase in rooting depth of blue grama. Significant grazing effects on the frequency of vesicles were observed primarily in the first sample depth, 0-10 cm.