10.57647/jrs-2026-1601.05

Management and Maintenance of Semi-arid Rangelands via Symbiosis between Mycorrhiza Fungi and Range Plant Species

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  • Mohammad Matinizadeh*1,
  • Elham Nouri1,
  • Mohammad Bayranvand2,
  • Adel Jalili1,
  • Tahereh Alizadeh1,
  • Maryam Teimouri1,
  • Alireza Eftekhari1,
  1. Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
  2. Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kerman, Iran

Received: 2024-08-06

Revised: 2025-04-07

Accepted: 2025-06-01

Published in Issue 2026-03-31

Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Matinizadeh, Elham Nouri, Mohammad Bayranvand, Adel Jalili, Tahereh Alizadeh, Maryam Teimouri, Alireza Eftekhari (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Matinizadeh, M., Nouri, E., Bayranvand, M., Jalili, A., Alizadeh, T., Teimouri, M., & Eftekhari, A. (2026). Management and Maintenance of Semi-arid Rangelands via Symbiosis between Mycorrhiza Fungi and Range Plant Species. Journal of Rangeland Science, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.57647/jrs-2026-1601.05
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Abstract

Understanding the symbiotic relationship between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and plants, particularly with soil nutrient and enzyme activity, is crucial for preserving semi-arid rangeland ecosystems. AMF is remarkable in nutrient acquisition and carbon cycling within these ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among Root Colonization (RC), soil enzyme activity, and rhizosphere soil chemical properties in nine rangeland plant species. In the spring of 2019, soil and root samples were collected randomly from the rhizosphere of plant species [Acanthophyllum glandulosum, Astragalus gossypinus and Noaea mucronata (shrub growth); Centaurea virgate, Hypericum perforatum, Pterocephalus canus and Stachys inflata (forb growth); Melica persica and Stipa hohenackeriana (Grass growth)] in Kordan rangeland, Hashtgerd, Alborz province, Iran. Data were collected for RC% using the intersection method, soil enzyme activity by spectrophotometrically, Available Phosphorus (P) (by Olsen method), Organic Carbon (OC) (by wet oxidation method), and Exchangeable Potassium (K). There were significant differences among plant species for rhizosphere soil chemical properties, RC%, and enzyme activities. However, there were no significant differences for P and the activity of Acid Phosphatase (ACP) enzyme. Our results indicate that P. canus and C. virgata plants, characterized by moderate palatability, thrive in soils with balanced chemical properties, which promote AMF colonization and enzyme activity. There were positive and significant correlations between RC% and enzyme activities, except ACP. Additionally, strong positive correlations were found between Dehydrogenase (Deh) activity and both RC% and carbon content. The lowest RC% was observed in N. mucronata and A. gossypinus, potentially attributable to their competitive traits, which may reduce their reliance on mycorrhizal associations for nutrient acquisition and dispersal. Forb growth species exhibited more favorable rhizosphere functions than grass and shrub species. P. canus and C. virgata with the highest symbiotic association with AMF were suggested for the management and protection of semi-arid rangeland ecosystems in the study area.

Keywords

  • Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi,
  • Symbiosis,
  • Soil Enzyme,
  • Semi-arid rangelands
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