Effect of mycorrhizal inoculation at different salinity levels on root coloniza tion, growth and chlorophyll content of different grape rootstocks (vitis spp)

Abstract

A pot culture experiment was conducted during 2004-2006 at the College of Agriculture, Uni versity of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, to investigate effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus fasciculatum) inoculation at different salinity levels (0.52, 1.90, 4.33, 6.23 and 7.94 dSm-1) on root colonization, growth and chlorophyll content of four grape rootstocks (Salt Creek, Dogridge, St. George and 1613). The extent of AM response on root colonization, growth and chlorophyll content varied with rootstock species, and with the level of salinity. AM fungus inoculated plants showed significantly higher root colonization percentage, root volume, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, total dry weight, and chlorophyll content. Ex posure to salinity stress resulted in decreased root colonization, chlorophyll content and growth of shoots on all rootstocks, but reduction in growth was greatest on St. George.