Effects of Severe Drought Stress on Some Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of AMF Inoculated C. arietinum

Abstract

In this study, physiological and biochemical changes caused by mycorrhizal symbiosis in chickpea plants under drought conditions were investigated in both root and leaf. Drought stress reduced leaf water potential, but mycorrhizal symbiosis caused a significant increase in leaf water potential. However, the application of mycorrhiza under drought stress caused an increase in the amount of elements that are very important for the development of the plant in the root and leaf. In our study, drought increased the proline concentration and MDA content, while mycorrhiza application decreased them in both leaf and root. In addition, while mycorrhizal application increased the activity of catalase, it decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase. In general, enzyme activities were found to be higher in the leaf, but no distinct pattern was obtained between root and leaf in other analyzes. The study shows that the responses of mycorrhizal symbiosis in chickpea plants may change depending on the severity of the drought. Especially antioxidant enzyme activities and proline content patterns reveal that more comprehensive studies should be conducted on these issues. However, continuing studies until determining the effects of AMF symbiosis on grain yield under drought may provide more comprehensive results.