Changes in the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) spores and root colonization that occurred in the postcultivation phase were investigated in the coastal dunes of the Seyhan Delta, Turkey. A sampling method was used to obtain community-level information, which is essential for the evaluation of relations between plant communities and AM colonization. | Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Research Article Turk J Agric For (2013) 37: 52-61 © TÜBİTAK doi: Changes in mycorrhizal spore and root colonization of coastal dune vegetation of the Seyhan Delta in the postcultivation phase 1 1 2, 3 Özlem AYTOK , K. Tulühan YILMAZ , İbrahim ORTAŞ *, Halil ÇAKAN Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Çukurova, 01330 Adana, Turkey 2 Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Çukurova, 01330 Adana, Turkey 3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, University of Çukurova, 01330 Adana, Turkey 1 Received: Accepted: Published Online: Printed: Abstract: Changes in the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) spores and root colonization that occurred in the postcultivation phase were investigated in the coastal dunes of the Seyhan Delta, Turkey. A sampling method was used to obtain community-level information, which is essential for the evaluation of relations between plant communities and AM colonization. Eight quadrats of 10 × 10 m were selected to describe floristic composition of different plant communities. TWINSPAN was applied to identify the plant communities. In addition, DECORANA was employed to put forward a clear ordination of the communities. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0–20 cm from each quadrat, and site conditions were described by means of soil analyses such as extractable P (NaHCO3), pH, organic matters, and salinity (%). Differences were detected in the floristic composition of the vascular plant cover in quadrats located in the abandoned peanut-cultivated fields when compared with control quadrats. This difference occurred with an increase of weeds and decrease of native psammophytes in terms of species richness and relative coverage. Higher AM colonization rates were found in the abandoned .
