What does the published scientific research say about Rhizophagus diaphanus?

Rhizophagus diaphanus — also indexed in the literature as Glomus diaphanum and Oehila diaphana — is an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) with a small but focused body of peer-reviewed research. Three PubMed records index this species; two address it directly as a plant-inoculation subject in agronomic contexts.

A microcosm study using Medicago sativa (PMID 21147829) reported that Glomus diaphanum stimulated host-plant growth more strongly than three other AMF species when plants were grown individually. The same trial found that this growth response corresponded with the highest plant mortality rate in self-thinning populations — a positive correlation between colonization-driven growth and mortality that is relevant to growers asking about Rhizophagus diaphanus inoculant density and stand management.

Research on heavy-metal phytoremediation (PMID 25495930) tested a four-species AMF consortium that included Glomus diaphanum, inoculating barley (Hordeum vulgare) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in lead-contaminated substrate. Mycorrhizal plants absorbed more Pb than non-colonized controls at high slag concentrations — barley roots reached 650 mg Pb kg⁻¹ dry weight — and the consortium enhanced overall lead extraction by plants. These outcomes are reported in peer-reviewed research and do not constitute an approved regulatory or label claim.