Investigation of the effects of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza on mineral nutrition and growth of Carthamus tinctorius under salt stress conditions

Salt stress is considered as one of the most important abiotic factors limiting plant growth and yield in many areas of the world. It has been shown that Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) can alleviate this deficiency. The effects of AMF inoculation on growth variables and mineral nutrition of Carthamus tinctorius L. under salt stress condition were studied. Plants were grown in a sterilized, low-P sandy soil with Glomus etunicatum inoculum (10-12 spore/g soil) in a greenhouse. RLC (Root Length Colonized) percent was higher in control plants than treated ones with different salt concentrations. Shoot and root weights, height, the number of leaves, the number of lateral branches, and also leaf area of mycorrhizal (M) plants were higher than nonmycorrhizal (NM) ones in both controlled and salt-treated plants. P, Zn, Fe, Ca, K, Cu, and N contents in M plants were higher than in NM plants in control, low and medium salinity conditions, but Na content was lower in aerial parts of the M plants. The results showed a higher tolerance of inoculated M plants toward salt stress and their better growth.