Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizae and salicylic acid on nutrient elements content of abareqi pistachio seedling under drought stress

To investigate the combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungus and salicylic acid on nutrient uptake and distribution of Abareqi Pistachio seedlings under drought stress, an experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with two mycorrhizae treatments (with or without mycorrhiza), three salicylic acid levels (0, 0.5, 1mM) and four drought stress levels (irrigation with 1, 3, 6 and 10 days intervals). The results indicated that drought strees increased total and shoot K, Fe, Zn, Cu and shoot Mn significantly but it decreased root K and Mn and shoot P. Mycorrhizal application increased total and shoot K, P, Fe, Zn and Cu but reduced root Fe and root and shoot Mn. Salicylic acid application increased total and shoot k but reduced root K, Cu and Mn and total and root Fe and Zn. Mycorrhizal symbiosis had the main role in elements uptake and distribution of K and P while salicylic acid application had a little effect on elements absorption and movement. The maximum amount of shoot K was obtained with mycorrhizae and salicylic acid at 1mM concentration. With respect to the role of K and P in drought resistance, it could be concluded that the use of mycorrhiza alone and in combination with salicylic acid, in part, played a positive role in drought tolerance of Abareqi pistachio seedlings.