Water stress changes on AMF colonization, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis of Dalbergia sissoo seedlings grown in entisol soil under nursery condition

Abstract Water stress significantly impacts the plants’ physiological activity. They are influenced by the stomata and photosynthesis of the plant. The main objectives of the experiments are to determine the stomata and photosynthetic activity changes in the Dalbergia sissoo seedlings under the entisol soil in nursery conditions and the water stress conditions on AMF colonization. The plant growth characteristics and physiological activities in D. sissoo were assessed under three conditions: WW (well watering), FW (fractionated watering), and SW (stopped/no watering), with the results revealing that the FW condition has a higher mycorrhizal dependency of 24.53% than the WW condition, which is 24.37%. AMF root colonization was also higher in D. Sissoo, at 56% and 47% under FW and WW conditions. These findings highlight the significance of AMF, especially when plants are experiencing water stress. When FW was used instead of WW, the photosynthetic rate of D. sissoo and AMF + plants increased by 17.85%. AMF inoculation changed the plant’s physiological activities, resulting in a significantly higher photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance. However, higher transpiration, intercellular CO2 concentration, and a lower leaf temperature regardless of WW or FW conditions indicate that AM positively affects physiological activities. The findings support the use of AMF in entisol soil to improve plant growth and biomass by alleviating adverse edaphic conditions.