Study describes Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) fungi colonization within the roots of cultivated tea plants (Camellia sinensis) at four sites, that is, Goodrich, Archadia, IIP, and Vasant Vihar of Doon Valley, Dehradun, India, from April, 2008, to March, 2009. Microscopic study of sterilized and stained root segments showed presence of four species namely Glomus fasciculatum, G. mosseae, Gigaspora margarita, and Acaulospora scrobiculata belonging to three genera of mycorrhizal fungi. Maximum AM colonization was observed during April–September and minimum was observed for December-January months of the year. Comparative study of AM fungi colonization at four sites during rainy season showed maximum colonization (100%) at Archadia site having soil with high organic matter, less acidity, and low phosphorus (P) whereas minimum (64.59%) at IIP with low organic matter, more acidity, and high P content. However, no variation in nitrogen content was observed at all four sites. Study suggested a positive relation of percentage root colonization with soil organic matter and negative relation with acidity and P content of soil. Study concludes that the percentage AM colonization is the function of seasonal variation in physicochemical properties of soil and presence of AM inoculums in the soil at a particular time. 1. Introduction Increasing concern over industry based development and related risk of environment, energy, and food security has stimulated scientists to develop and design biosystems as alternate or supplementary sources of biofertilizer for sustainable practices, particularly for agriculture and remediation of degraded lands. Mycorrhizas—a symbiotic association between the fungi and the roots of higher plants [1]—are receiving more attention worldwide for their ability to enhance the uptake and absorption of relatively immobile nutrients and minerals of plants due to comparatively large surface area of mycelium？:？root ratio [2]. Mycorrhizal associations occur naturally with more than 95% of terrestrial plants, of which 65% belong to Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) fungi [3, 4]. Inoculation of AM fungi with different plants showed increased uptake of nitrogen (N) by plants [5], promotion of plant growth [6], exchange of water and mineral with soil [7], resistance to stress and drought and in some cases to soil pathogens [8, 9], and metals toxicity resistance to plants [10]. Establishment of mycorrhizal associations supports up to 80% of N and 90% P requirements of plants [11]. Camellia sinensis is widely used for the cheapest aromatic beverages in the world
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