SOIL FUNGAL DIVERSITY UNDER WEST AFRICA ECTOMYCORRHIZAL VEGETATION.

In West Africa, the forests are rich in ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) and contain many tree species that form symbiotic interactions with these fungi. Through this symbiosis, ECM fungi facilitate plant growth by increasing the absorption of nutrients and water. The objective of this study is to estimate the diversity of soil fungal species. We sampled in Benin and on these samples DNA was extracted to characterize the soil fungal community in woodland savannas dominated by the tree species Isoberlinia doka, Isoberlinia tomentosa and Uapaca togoensis. For Molecular Analysis, the Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was sequenced to infer phylogeny for all soil fungal species detected. The results show that the type of vegetation significantly influences the structure of the ECM fungi community and remains more dominant under Isoberlinia doka than other vegetation. We conclude, the soil fungal community under Isoberlinia doka is more abundant and more diverse and more structured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]