Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi on Growth Characteristics of <i>Dactylis glomerata</i> L. under Drought Stress Conditions

Abstract

Limited information is available regarding the selection of effective mycorrhizae and the exploitation of their beneficial effects on the enhancement of the forage production of Dactylis glomerata under the predicted warmer and drier conditions in the Mediterranean region. The objective of this study was to test the effects of Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae and their mix inoculation on growth characteristics and dry matter production of Dactylis glomerata in relation to full and limited irrigation. The experiment was conducted in Orestiada, Northeastern Greece. Limited irrigation significantly decreased yield and yield components of Dactylis glomerataover the full irrigation. Drought stressed plants had significantly higher root dry weight as a response for better survival under water deficit conditions. The Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculated plants had significant higher shoot dry weight, tiller height and number of leaves in comparison to the non-inoculated plants. On the contrary, under drought stress conditions all AMF plants had lower root dry weights than control plants. Among the studied mycorrhizae species, Glomus intraradices performed better than Glomus mosseae and their mixture as it increased S/R ratio, tiller height and number of leaves.