Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Soil salinity is a worldwide dilemma, restricting plant growth and production particularly in arid and semiarid regions. This study is aimed to investigate the effects of arbuscularmycorrhizal (AM) fungus ( Glomus deserticola ) on growth, flower yield, salinity tolerance and mineral acquisition in kalanchoe ( Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Polin ) plants under different levels of salinity. Mycorrhizal (+AMF) and non-mycorrhizal (-AMF) kalanchoe plants were subjected to four levels of salinity (0, 50, 100 and 200 mMNaCl). The application of NaCl, especially at high levels; significantly reduced growth responses, flower parameters, mineral contents, and levels of mycorrhizal colonization of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizalKalanchoe plants comparing to control plants. However, the rate of reduction was more pronounced in non-mycorrhizal treated plants. Leaves of AM kalanchoe at the highest salt level were significantly greener (more chlorophyll) than those of the non-AM plants. MycorrhizalKalanchoe plants significantly had higher biomass, plant height, leaf area, flower yield and concentrations of nutrients (P, N, K, Ca and Mg) than the non-mycorrhizal plants irrigated with or without NaCl. Under salt stresses, AM colonization had greatly reduced the mineral contents (Na and Cl) in leaf tissues of the Kalanchoe plants comparing to their equivalent of the non-mycorrhizal plants. Interestingly, AM inoculations significantly increased salt tolerance index (STI) as compared to non-AM plants. Results of this study suggest that AM fungi contribute alleviation of the deleterious effects of saline soils on growth and flowering yields of the ornamental plants by improving mineral contents, mitigation of NaCl-induced ionic imbalance and increasing the salt tolerance index of the plants.

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