Investigation of mycorrhizal colonization of Pistachio (Pistacia vera) seedlings in Kerman province and evaluation of some isolates via greenhouse experiment

Mycorrhizal status of pistachio seedling in Kerman province in regard to region and some soil properties and also symbiotic potential of Sorghum, clover and onion isolates with pistachio seedling were evaluated in this research. 72 samples of pistachio nurseries and 67 samples of Sorghum, clover and onion farms were gathered from Kerman province and mycorrhizal colonization percent of their roots were determined after clearing with KOH and staining with Tryphan blue. All soil samples were analyzed for EC and pH and then for soil texture of samples with different colonization percent. The result showed that all of samples had mycorrhizal symbiosis and the colonization percent was varied from minimum 33 to maximum 97 percent. The colonization percent of Kerman, Mahan and Bardsir samples was related mainly to 75-100% range, but 25-50% for Zarand samples. Based on regression test, there was a significant relation between soil texture and pH (α=5%) and also EC (α=5%) with colonization percent. The colonization percent were decreased significantly in soil salinity more than 4 dS/m. Inoculation of pistachio seedling with 20 mycorrhizal isolates of pistachio, sorghum, onion and clover plants via a greenhouse experiment showed that all isolates had colonization potential of pistachio roots after 60 days and colonization percent was varied from minimum 63 to maximum 88 percent. Inoculation of Pistachio seedlings with selected isolates had significant effect on most vegetative index of seedlings in compare to control treatment.