Effect of Glomus mosseae and water deficit stress on growth and root antioxidant enzymes changes of citrus

A greenhouse experiment performed as completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement to evaluate the effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on growth and root antioxidant enzymes changes of two citrus rootstocks (Sour orange and Rough lemon). The factors were mycorrhizal treatments at two levels (inoculation with Glomus mosseae and control) and irrigation treatments in 4 irrigation intervals 2, 4, 6 and 8 days. As water deficit stress increased, shoot and root dry weights decreased, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in roots increased. Shoot and root dry weights, APX, CAT and SOD activities in roots of two citrus rootstocks were higher in mycorrhizal than non mycorrhizal of two citrus rootstocks under well-watered and water deficit stress conditions. In mycorrhizal plants, root colonization decreased up to 40%, as water deficit stress levels increased.