The effect of Glomus intraradices on chitinase enzyme production in pistachios inoculated with Armillaria mellea

Pistachio is an important and economical crop that is attacked by Armillaria mellea which causes a significant reduction in yield and deterioration. Root rot disease caused by A. mellea is one of the fungal diseases which has been increasing in pistachio orchards in recent years. Extensive mechanisms and complex life cycle limit its control and almost impossible. In this study, the biochemical aspects of Glomus intraradices and A. mellea root symbiotic interaction on Pistachio vera root, Badami zarand cultivar, as a sensitive rootstock were investigated. This experiment was performed in a completely randomized design and factorial with four replications in greenhouse conditions. Chitinase activity enzyme was calculated based on the amount of N–acetyl glucose amine released. The results showed that colonization with symbiotic fungi changed enzymatic activities in favor of the plant, which was directly related to the percentage of colonization of symbiotic fungi with roots. The results showed an increase and maximization of chitinase activity enzyme in the roots of plants inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi.