Biomass allocation, leaf gas exchange and nutrient uptake of hazelnut seedlings in response to Trichoderma harzianum and Glomus intraradices inoculation

Abstract

Mycorrhizal fungi form mutualistic symbioses with the roots of 80% of plants which increase growth and nutrient uptake for the host plants. This research was conducted to determine the effect of individual Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai species on the root colonization, biomass allocation, physiological characteristics and nutrient uptake of hazelnut (Corylus avellana Linnaeus) seedlings in the nursery. The results showed that both G. intraradices and T. harzianum improved biomass, physiological characteristics and nutrient uptake of hazelnut seedlings as well as simultaneous root colonization. However, the growth rate for G. intraradices treatment was significantly higher than that for T. harzianum treatment. The highest leaf dry mass (2.66 g), root dry mass (3.39 g), root volume (11.31 cm<sup>3</sup>), total plant dry weight (11.20 g) were detected in seedlings inoculated with G. intraradices. Inoculation with G. intraradices and T. harzianum increased net photosynthesis (64 and 26%), stomatal conductance (66.1 and 31.4%) and water use efficiency (50 and 22%). Both G. intraradices and T. harzianum showed increased nutrient accumulation. The G. intraradices treatment resulted in the most efficient nutrient absorption with increases of 58.4% (N), 85.2% (P) and 83.2% (K) in plants. It can be deduced that although G. intraradices in comparison with T. harzianum more favourably affected the growth and leaf gas exchange as well as nutrient uptake of hazelnut seedlings, it can be suggested that the inoculation of hazelnut roots with both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is a proper measure to produce the healthy and strong seedlings of this species in the nursery.