H. Nadian,
Volume 15, Issue 57 (fall 2011)
Abstract
Effect of drought stress and mycorrhizal symbiosis on growth and phosphorus (P) uptake by two sorghum cultivars different in root morphology was studied in a pot experiment. A factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design was performed. In this study, sorghum speed feed cultivar with high root proliferation and branching and sorghum KFS2 cultivar with low root proliferation and branching were colonized by Glomus intraradices. All plants were watered equally in the first three weeks to establish them. Drought stress was applied from the week four and the plants were watered when 40% (T1), 60% (T2) and 80% (T3) of the available water was consumed. Results showed that in both sorghum cultivars, plant dry weight decreased as drought stress was increased. However, dry weight of mycorrhizal plants was higher than that of non-mycorrhizal plants at all levels of drought stress. This increase for speed feed cultivar was greater than for KFS2 cultivar. Phosphorus concentration and total P uptake in shoot of both mycorrhizal plants were greater than those of non-mycorrhizal plants. P accumulation in both cultivars decreased by increasing drought stress due to the decline in plant biomass. However, P accumulation per unit length of colonized root increased by increasing drought stress. The greater percentage of root colonization and the increased total length of external hyphae per unit length of colonized root of KFS2 cultivar led to an increase in mycorrhizal growth response and improved P nutrition of KFS2 cultivar compared to those of speed feed cultivar.
S. Jafari, H. Nadian,
Volume 18, Issue 69 (fall 2014)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate soil properties changes in a soil toposequence series in Khuzestan province. Twelve soil profiles were dug in north to south direction in this province, according to the changes of the slope in Karoon’s alluvial deposits. The results showed that soil texture regularly changes to heavier form from north to south. It was slightly of redoxomorphic features in low land. Therefore, salic horizon was formed in this land. Despite high water table in this area, gray or mottle forms were few due to high soil salinity. The carbonates were eluviated from surface to subsurface horizon therefore, calsic horizon was formed due to illuviation. Secondary carbonate accumulation was maximum in the studied area. Both classic horizon and cambic horizon were formed in some pedons under long time cultivation in north regions. These developments were originated from organisms that grew under good drainage class. The smectite was seen in the south part of region. It may have been transported by river and deposited under high salinity and flocculated in contact to Persian Gulf’s saline water. The palygorskite was not seen in all patterns. This clay was removed in pedons under long time cultivation in the north area due to more leaching. High irrigation water can accelerate palygorskite transformation. Also, the XRD patterns showed that chlorite, illite, kaolinite and quartz were main clay minerals in the studied soils.
