Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza in Alleviating Salinity Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grown Under Ambient and Elevated CO2

Abstract

AbstractPlant growth and development are influenced by future elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and increased salinity stress. AM (arbuscular mycorrhiza) symbiosis has been shown to improve plant growth and resistance to environmental stresses. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of AM fungus in alleviating salinity stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown under ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations. Wheat plants inoculated or not inoculated with AM fungus were grown in two glasshouses with different CO2 concentrations (400 and 700 μmol l−1) and salinity levels (0, 9.5 and 19.0 dS m−1). Results showed that salinity stress decreased and elevated CO2 increased AM colonization. AM inoculation increased plant dry weight under elevated CO2 and salinity stress. Stomatal conductance, density, size and aperture of AM plants were greater than non‐AM plants. AM fungi enhanced NUE by altering plant C assimilation and N uptake. AM plants had higher soluble sugar concentration and [K+]: [Na+] ratio compared with non‐AM plants. It is concluded that AM symbiosis improves wheat plant growth at vegetative stages through increasing stomatal conductance, enhancing NUE, accumulating soluble sugar, and improving ion homeostasis in wheat plants grown at elevated CO2 and salinity stress.