The effects of the mycorrhiza on plant growth during acclimatization of some in vitro grown sweet cherry rootstocks

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum on plant growth during acclimatization of micro propagated sweet cherry rootstocks. Two different growth media were used: peat: perlite (1:1 V/V) and Andesite: Soil: Compost (6:3:1 V/V). Sterilized growth media were mixed with both Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum before planting in the pots in the greenhouse. In order to determine the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and growth media on plant growth, shoot length, and dry weight of roots and shoots were analyzed. The leaf content of P, Zn, Cu, and Fe, were significantly increased by mycorrhizal inoculation. The total root length and percentage of infected roots were investigated at the end of the acclimatization. As a result, survival rate of rootstock plantlets was not affected by mycorrhizal inoculation. The effect of inoculation was found significant on nutrient uptake and tissue P content. The results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation may be used at the in vitro rooting stage for better acclimatization. Mycorrhizae inoculated rootstocks grow better and increase Zn and P uptake.