Abstract
The current investigation was carried out to examine the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in alleviating adverse effects of salt stress in Ephedra aphylla. The plants were exposed to 75 and 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) stress with and without application of AMF. Salt stress caused significant decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents; however, the application of AMF restored the pigments content in salt-affected plants. Proline, phenols, and lipid peroxidation were increased with increasing concentration of NaCl, but lower accumulation has been reported in plants treated with AMF. NaCl stress also showed increase in different antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase), and further increase was observed in plants treated with AMF. The nutrient uptake, Na+ and Na/K ratio increased and potassium and phosphorus were decreased with increasing concentration of NaCl in the present study. However, the colonization with AMF significantly increased K+ and P and reduced Na+ uptake. It is concluded that presown soil treatment with AMF reduced severity of salt stress in E. aphylla through alterations in physiological parameters, antioxidants and uptake of nutrients.