Effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis on some physiological characteristics of maize (SC704) under water deficit condition

In order to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae on some physiological characteristics of maize (SC704) under water deficit condition, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete design with three replications was conducted at the physiology laboratory of Islamic Azad University Branch Ardabili, during 2015. Studied factors were: water potential in four levels (Zero, -4, -8 and -12 MPa) and Seed pre-treatment with mycorrhizal fungus in four levels (no inoculation, Seed pre-treatment with Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizoglomus fasciculatum and Claroideoglomu etanicatum. The results showed that increasing water stress decreased chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, relative water content and increased soluble carbohydrates and proline compounds followed, The seeds were inoculated with rhizoglomus fasciculatum of increasing traits in comparison with non-inoculated, respectively. The results of the comparison of mean interactions of drought stress and mycorrhiza showed that The highest content of chlorophyll a (85.23 mg/g fresh weight), total chlorophyll (35.33 mg/g fresh weight) and leaf water content (45.8%) related to stress-free treatment and inoculated plants with rhizoglomus fasciculatum. In general, the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased the tolerance to water deficit stress through its effect on some physiological characteristics of corn.