Growth Response of Two Species of Zizyphus to Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Abstract. Responses of two Zizyphus species of (Zizyphus spina– christi L. and Z. nummularia Burm.f.) to inoculation with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were investigated in a greenhouse over a 12 weeks period. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased the biomass, root development (volume, surface area, diameter and number of tips), and photosynthetic pigments of both species in comparison to non–mycorrhizal plants. Such increases were related to the intensity of mycorrhizal infection in the root. Z. spina-christi was found to be more dependent on mycorrhizal fungi for its growth than Z. nummularia. These findings indicate that mycorrhizal inoculation can be a suitable way (biofertilizer agents) to improve growth and root development of tropical Zizyphus plants, particularly in poor soils.