Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal effect and salinity on Curcuma Longa

Abstract

The endophytic Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is mutually associated with root systems of higher plants. This fungus colonizes both inter- and intracellularly in the roots of plants. Curcuma longa is a herbaceous perennial plant commonly called turmeric, belonging to the Zingiberaceae family and native to southern Asia, particularly India. Our country is a leading producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. It is used as a condiment, dye, cosmetic, and medicine, and is also used in religious ceremonies. The present study focuses on the influence of AM fungal effect and salinity on Curcuma longa plants grown under greenhouse conditions. This investigation reported that lower concentrations of sodium chloride do not show drastic effects on plant growth when they are treated with AM fungi compared to non-AM fungi-inoculated control plants. Thus AM fungi improved the salt tolerance in Curcuma longa plants at lower concentrations of sodium chloride.