Interaction between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Iron Sources on Growth Parameters and Nutrients Uptake of Mexican Lime

In order to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi, different sources and levels of iron on growth and nutrients uptake in Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia L) (one of the important rootstock in citrus growing regions in south of Iran), greenhouse experiments were conducted with factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with three factors and four replications. Treatments consisted of three levels of mycorhizal fungus (without fungal inoculation, inoculation with Rhizophagus intraradices, inoculation with Glomus versiforme), two sources of iron (iron chelate, iron solphate), and three iron levels (0, 7.5, 15 mgkg-1 Fe). The results indicated that co-application of mycorrhizal fungal species and iron sources improved plant growth charactrices and the concentration of nitrogen, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. In the treatments inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi, with an increase in iron levels, the nutrient concentrations of iron, zinc, copper and manganese in soil were increased, likely because of the balancing effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis on nutrient concentrations in plants. It seemed that co-application treatments of fungi with iron sulphate were effective on different growth indices of plant and could reduce iron chelate consumption or be used instead of it.