Effect of Mycorrhizal Fungus Glomus sp. on the Plant Growth and Root-Rot Disease of Pistachio Seedlings Caused by Fusarium solani Under Greenhouse Conditions

The present study examined the effects of mycorrhizal fungus Glomus sp. on pistachio growth parameters and root-rot disease of pistachio seedlings under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted in factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with six replications. Examined factors included: levels of Glomus inoculation (with (M1) and without inoculation (M0) and two levels of Fusarium (inoculation with two isolates (F1) and F2) with a control (F0)). The results showed that Glomus sp and Fusarium isolates had a significant effect on all growth parameters (p< 0.01). There was significant interaction effect of treatment on shoot height, root dry weight, leaf area, root volume and root colonization (p< 0.01) and shoot fresh and dry weights (p< 0.05). Root rot disease was increased when pistachio seedlings were inoculated with F1 and F2 isolates of F. solani compared to control treatment (F0). The percentage of root colonization by F1 and F2 isolates was reduced (26.6% and 43.7% respectively) when pistachio seedlings were inoculated with Glomus sp. Based on the results, inoculation of pistachio seedling with Glomus sp. can reduce the root rot disease and improve plant growth parameters.