The Effects of mycorrhiza on plant growth during acclimatization of some in vitro grown sweet cherry rootstocks

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum on plant growth during acclimatization of micropropagated sweet cherry rootstocks. Two different growth media was used: peat: perUt (1:1 V) and Andezite: Soil: Compost (6:3:1 V). Sterilized growth media were mixed with both Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum before planting to the pots in the green house. In order to determine the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and growth media on plant growth, shoot length, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots were analyzed.. The leaf content of P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe, were significantly increased by mycorrhizal inoculation. The total root and percentage of infected roots was investigated at the end of the acclimatization. As a result, survival rate of rootstock plantlets was not affected by mycorrhizal inoculation. The effects of inoculation was found significant on nutrient uptake and tissue P content. The results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation may be used at the m vitro rooting stage for better acclimatization. Key words: Sweet cherry (P.avium L.) rootstocks, micropropagated, acclimatization, mycorrhizal inoculation.