The effects of Glomus mosseae on growth and physiology of Acacia albida Del. seedlings under drought stress

The effects of Glomus mosseae on morphology (basal diameter, seedling height, root length, root volume, leaf surface, root and shoot dry weight, root length) and physiology (transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content and proline) of Acacia albida Del. seedlings were studied under drought stress. Seedlings were grown in pot with drought stress (25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of soil water content) for 8 months, following 2 weeks of non-drought stress pretreatment in the greenhouse. Under drought stress, mycorrhizal Acacia albida seedling had higher shoot and root dry weight, basal diameter, height and leaf area surface. Results also showed that AMF symbiosis increased, root volume of seedlings but didn’t effect on root length. Based on this study, the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi had a positive effect on plant development under drought conditions, so it could be offered that for the best accomplishment with the afforestation in dry regions, the Acacia seedlings had better to be pre-colonized with Glomus mosseae fungi.