Investigating the Potential of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mitigating Water Deficit Effects on Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

Wheat is one of the main staple cereal crops worldwide. However, drought-induced stress factors limiting wheat productivity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The present study aims to investigate influence arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant growth under water-deficit conditions. Three Algerian durum varieties—Mohamed Ben Bachir (MBB), Boussellem (BS) Waha (W)—were grown with (+AMF) or without (−AMF) non-stress Morphological, physiological, biochemical responses AMF inoculation water deficit were quantified. results showed improved morphological parameters (height aerial part (HAP), internode length (LIN), dry weight (APDW), root (RDW), ear (LE)), chlorophyll content AMF-inoculated plants conditions compared control (−AMF). Moreover, soluble protein (SPC) membrane stability index (MSI) significantly increased by 18% 10%, respectively, while proline decreased after inoculation. In addition, increases peroxidase (POD), ascorbate (APX), catalase (CAT), but +AMF decreases them considerably all studied varieties. suggest that can lead optimized production provide a basis for further studies its effects field