Physiological characteristics of two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum) in response to salinity stress and mycorrhiza

To evaluate the effect of two species of mycorrhiza on physiological characteristics and yield of two wheat cultivars under salinity stress, a field experiment was conducted as split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications during two cropping years (2014-2016) in Isfahan. Irrigation of plants with two saline water (3 and 11 dS/m electrical conductivity) were main plots and mycorrhiza (G. intraradices, G. mossea and non-application) and two wheat cultivars (Arg and Parsi) were subplots. The results of combined analysis showed that salinity decreased the maximum leaf area index, SPAD index, root colonization and yield by 8.5, 20.7, 17 and 35.5%, respectively, and increased the shoot sodium 84%. Application of mycorrhiza decreased shoot sodium by 33% and an increaseed SPAD, proline and yield by 10, 21.5 and 14.4%, respectively. Salinity caused 22% reduction in the maximum leaf area index of Parsi cultivar. Mossea species caused 6% reduction in the Arg maximum leaf area index and 37% increase in the total leaf protein of both cultivars. In most of the studied traits, both species of mycorrhiza showed high usefulness in comparison with non-inoculation treatment, and of course, the species of G. mossea had a significant effect on increasing grain yield. In general, under salinity stress, mycorrhiza fungus application, especially mossea and Arg cultivar, is recommended.