Effect of Arbuscular mycorhizal Fungus (Glomus spp.) species on growth and morphology of walnut (Juglans regia) seedlings

In this research, it is aimed to determine the effects of important Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus species (Glomus spp.) on growth, morphology and mycorrhizal association levels of walnut (Juglans regia L.) seedlings. Four different mycorrhizal inoculums (M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4) including different Glomus spp. were inoculated to four different seed sources of walnut (Fernor, Chandler, Kaman-1 and Franquette cv.). At the end of the one growing season, it is found that mycorrhizal applications had shown significant effects on all growth parameters of seedlings except of shoot length, length of main taproot, root and total seedling biomass in fresh base, and on all morphological rates except of sturdiness quotient. Mycorrhizal applications had also shown significant effects on root fibrosity, and the occurrence of slight curves on shoots. The effects of seed sources on all growth parameters of seedlings were found more significant than the effects of mycorrhizal applications. Glomus intraradices (M-3) and Glomus iranicum (M-2) fungus species had increased the seedling biomass values. Similar root colonization rates were observed, but different numbers of spores were detected among mycorrhizal applications. M-2 (Glomus iranicum) and M-4 (Glomus mosseae) mycorrhizal applications had produced more spores than the others. July 2019, 96 Pages. Keywords: Endomycorrhiza, Juglans regia L., seedling biomass, seedling morphology, mycorrhizal colonization