Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, mineral nutrition, antioxidant enzymes activity and fruit yield of tomato grown under salinity stress

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying alleviation of salt stress by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. Zhongzha105) plants were cultivated in soil with 0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl. Mycorrhization alleviated salt induced reduction of root colonization, growth, leaf area, chlorophyll content, fruit fresh weight and fruit yield. The concentrations of P and K were higher in AM compared with nonAM plants grown under nonsaline and saline conditions. Na concentration was lower in AM than nonAM plants grown under nonsaline and saline conditions. AMF colonization was accompanied by an enhancement of activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in leaves of both salt-affected and control plants. In addition, inoculation with AMF caused reduction in MDA content in comparison to salinized plants, indicating lower oxidative damage in the colonized plants.In conclusion, AMF may protect plants against salinity by alleviating the salt induced oxidative stress.

Research highlights▶ Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) alleviated salt induced reduction of root colonization, growth, leaf area, chlorophyll content, fruit fresh weight and fruit yield of tomato plants. ▶ The concentrations of P and K were higher in AM compared with nonAM plants grown under nonsaline and saline conditions. Na concentration was lower in AM than nonAM plants grown under nonsaline and saline conditions. ▶ AMF colonization was accompanied by an enhancement of activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in leaves of both salt-affected and control plants. ▶ Inoculation with AMF caused reduction in MDA content in comparison to salinized plants, indicating lower oxidative damage in the colonized plants. ▶ AMF may protect tomato plants against salinity by alleviating the salt induced oxidative stress.