Pomegranate Growth Affected by Arbuscular Mycorrhizae,Phosphorus Fertilizer,and Irrigation Water Salinity

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) is a strategy in saline soils. In this study, two AMF (+AMF and –AMF), two phosphorus (P) fertilizer (+ P and –P), and three irrigation salinity (1, 4, and 8 dS m^?1) treatments were studied. The highest salinity level decreased the root colonization by hyphae. Plant growth parameters including shoot dry weight, leaf surface area, and plant height were negatively affected by salinity. However, the growth parameters improved in AMF treatments. Salinity decreased the shoot P concentration and increased the shoot chlorine (Cl). The root and shoot sodium (Na) concentrations were the greatest in unfertilized and P-fertilized treatments, respectively. AMF treatment improved the root and shoot P concentration and reduced the negative effect of salinity on shoot Cl concentrations. In conclusion, the effects of AMF symbiosis on growth and tissue elements concentration depend on irrigation water salinity and P fertilization.