Abstract

Background: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are root symbionts that improve host plant growth and resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses allowing a sustain plant production particularly under harsh conditions. Methods: The objective of this study is to compare the effect of conventional tillage and no-tillage practices on AMF symbiosis with durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf) through the evaluation of root colonization and AMF spore density in the soil of three different sites in a semi-arid region in Algeria. Two sites were conducted under rain-fed conditions and one was irrigated.Result: Mycorrhizal root colonization varied according to the site and the tillage practice, while spore density differed between sites. Spore density was higher in sites under rain-fed conditions suggesting that water deficit stimulate sporulation, while root colonization seems to be limited by drought. No-tillage improved root colonization rates by 54.3% compared to conventional tillage system and this improvement, particularly the arbuscular percentage, was higher under drought conditions. In addition, root colonization rates showed a positive correlation with the organic matter content and pH in the soil and a negative correlation with the available phosphorus in the soil. These results indicate that no-tillage enhance the establishment of AMF symbiosis with durum wheat under semi-arid conditions.

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