Effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi on phosphorous uptake and growth of Alnus glutinosa seedlings in Guilan province

Ectomycorrhizal fungi can increase the quality and quantity of seedlings by increasing plant resistance to environmental stresses, and increasing growth and nutrient uptake in forest nurseries. In order to study the effect of ectomycorrhizal fungi on phosphate (P) uptake and growth of Alnus glutinosa seedlings, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four treatments including ectomycorrhizal fungi: Cenoccum geophilum, Lactarius sp, 150 kg/ha phosphate and control in three replications. A soil with low available P content were collected from Shalman Forest Seed and Seedling Research Station, and after sterilization by autoclave, was distributed in pots. In each pot, one seedling of Alnus glutinosa were planted and inoculated with the desired treatment. After ten weeks of inoculation, seedlings were harvested and their growth and nutritional characteristics were measured. The results showed that fungi inoculations significantly increased diameter, height and dry weight of seedlings by 30% compared with the control. In addition, ectomycorrhizal fungi increased nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration in alder seedlings by 18, 82 and 61%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the percentages of alder root colonization between two fungi, but there was no significant difference in the efficiency of inoculation between the ectomycorrhizal fungi. It looks like that Lactarius is more effective compared with Cenococcum geophilum. Therefore, it can be concluded that ectomycorrhizal fungi improve growth and nutrition of alder seedlings, but further studies are needed to identify more efficient ectomycorrhizal fungi.