Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on salinity tolerance of two turfgrass

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi(Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus intraradices)on growth and physiological response of two species of cool-season turfgrass, Festuca arundinacea and Poa paratensis grown in pots with different NaCl treatment (0, 0.8%, 1.2% and 1.6%) were investigated under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the efficiency of inoculation of AM fungi to increase salt tolerance of F.arundinacea and P.paratensis. There was significant decrease in mycorrhizal colonization, mycorrhizal dependence, plant growth, chlorophyll relative content, salt tolerant coefficient and appearance quality with NaCl concentration increase. All the inoculation treatments with AM fungi could promote the growth, chlorophyll relative content, salt tolerant coefficient and appearance quality of F.arundinacea and P.paratensis plants, and enhance the salt tolerance of the plants. The mycorrhizal colonization and efficiency of dual inoculation of AM fungi were superior than that of the other treatments.