Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal Communities in the maize roots under different tillage practice in South Kanto region of Japan

The present study was carried out to determine the relationship between the communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and nutrient uptake and productivity of maize in a different tillage management, and to obtain basic information for establishing a plant-microbe based cropping system for maize cultivation in Japan. The results showed that the community structure of AMF colonizing maize roots also tended to change with the tillage methods. These changes in community structures of AMF may improve the P uptake and yield of maize.