The effect of ectomycorrhizas on the content of some minerals in pistachio plant (Var Ahmadaghaee) treated with different concentrations of Mg

Many studies have been carried out both to produce ectomycorrhiza in axenic culture media and to investigate the impact of this symbiotic system on the plants. However, no investigation has been conducted on the effect of ectomycorrhizas on mineral concentration of pistachio when mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants exposed to different amounts of Mg. Ectomycorrhizal pistachio plants were produced using Agaricus bisporus, along with non-mycorhhizal plants were grown under sterilized condition in conical flasks where they were treated with four concentrations of MgSO4 prepared from Hogland nutrient solution with half of its concentration. After plant harvesting the concentration of Ca, Mg, P, Fe, K, Na, Zn, Mn and Cu of plants were measured. Colonization rate had increased in mycorrhizal plants when they exposed to higher Mg rates. The concentration of the above cations increased significantly in mycorrhizal plants in comparison to non-mycorrhizal plants. In ectomycorrhizal plants the excess amounts of Mg of high concentrations did not move to the shoots and was accumulated in the roots. The results were discussed with especial reference to the role of ectomycorrhizas in plant nutrition.