Impact of Mycorrhization on Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency of Acacia gummifera and Retama monosperma under Salt Stress

Abstract

The impact of salt stress on the growth and phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) of two leguminous species: Retama monosperma and Acacia gummifera was studied. The effectiveness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to mitigate salt stress was furthermore assessed. Growth, N and P tissue concentrations, mycorrhizal root colonization frequency and intensity, and P utilization efficiency (PUE) in the absence or presence of AMF were evaluated under no salt (0 mM L−1) and three salt (NaCl) concentrations of (25, 50 and 100 mM L−1) using a natural sterilized soil. A significant difference in mycorrhizal colonization intensity, root-to-shoot ratio, P uptake, PUE, and N uptake was observed between the legume species. Salt stress inhibited the shoot and root growth, and reduced P and N uptake by the legume species. Mycorrhizal inoculation aided to mitigate the effects of salt stress with an average increase of shoot and root growth responses by 35% and 32% in the inoculated than in the non-inoculated A. gummifera treatments. The average shoot and root growth responses were 37% and 45% higher in the inoculated compared to the non-inoculated treatments of R. monosperma. Average mycorrhizal shoot and root P uptake responses were 66% and 68% under A. gummifera, and 40% and 95% under R. monosperma, respectively. Mycorrhizal inoculated treatments consistently maintained lower PUE in the roots. The results provide insights for further investigations on the AMF conferred mechanisms to salt stress tolerance response by A. gummifera and R. monosperma, to enable the development of effective technologies for sustainable afforestation and reforestation programs in the Atlantic coast of Morocco.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviates salt stress in Xanthoceras sorbifolium through improved osmotic tolerance, antioxidant activity, and photosynthesis

“…In recent years, there have been increasing studies on the effects of AMF on nutrition metabolism and stress resistance ability of plants ( Latef and He, 2011 ; Rivero et al, 2015 ; Zhao et al, 2015 ). When exposed to salinity, positive effects of AMF inoculation were reported in many species, such as Robinia pseudoacacia , Acacia gummifera , Retama monosperma , and Malus × domestica Borkh ( Yang et al, 2014 ; Chen J. et al, 2017 ; Fakhech et al, 2021 ), attributed to greater activity of antioxidant enzymes ( Latef and He, 2011 ), accumulation of osmolytes ( He et al, 2007 ), stimulation of phytohormone level ( Abd Allah et al, 2015 ), and better acquisition of water and mineral nutrients.…”

Enhancing Maize Productivity and Soil Health under Salt Stress through Physiological Adaptation and Metabolic Regulation Using Indigenous Biostimulants

“…Soil salinity affects one billion hectares in over 100 countries [4], making it a widespread problem. Salinity significantly impacts plant survival, growth, and productivity by restricting nutrient availability through soil complexation, inducing physiological changes, and impairing antioxidant function [5,6]. Additionally, salinity also influences protein development, lipid digestion, and photosynthesis [7].…”