Responses of some different pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes to inoculation with two different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Eight different pepper genotypes inoculated by two different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) [Glomus intraradices (Gi) and Gigaspora margarita (Gm)] in a growth chamber experiment under normal seedling growing conditions were evaluated for seedling traits, colonization and relative mycorrhizal dependency (RMD). In general, inoculated plants had greater dry weights compared to non-inoculated plants. Five cultivars responded positively to inoculation with AM fungi and three responded negatively. A great variation in mycorrhizal colonization dependency was observed among the pepper genotypes, with the N52 genotype showing the highest RMD and the Karaisali genotype the lowest. RMD and dry weights of pepper genotypes were inversely correlated. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.