Investigating the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth and uptake of nutrients in lactuca sativa cv Syaho

In order to investigate the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth criteria and uptake of nutrient in lettuce (lactuca sativa L. cv Syaho), a completely randomized experiment with five replications was conducted in Research Greenhouse of Horticultural Department of Mohaghegh Ardabili University at 2010. Experimental treatments include inoculation of plants by two species of Arbuscular mycorrhiza Glomus intraradices and G. fasciculatum and control. Results from analysis of variance revealed that the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on plant height, leaf number and surface, chlorophyll content of leaves, fresh and dry weight of plant and stomatal conductance were significant (P≤0.05). Mycorrhizal inoculation enhanced vegetative growth parameters significantly in comparison to control and the highest value for these traits obtained by inoculation of plants with G. intraradices. The effect of inoculation of plants by two species of mycorrhizal fungi on the content of elements such as nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium were significant (P≤0.01). Inoculation of plants by mycorrhizal fungi enhanced nutrient uptake significantly in comparison to control. In general inoculation by mycorrhizal fungi in addition to enhancing growth parameters can enhance the postharvest quality of lettuce plants via increasing the uptake of potassium and calcium.