Root microbial communities of salinity stressed olive trees, after inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza assemblages derived from costal sand dunes

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are widespread soil microorganisms that form symbiosis with the majority of terrestrial plants, including olive trees. In exchange for photosynthetic carbon supplied by the host plant, AMF enhance the capacity of the plant to acquire nutrients from soil and to tolerate abiotic stresses (e.g.drought and salinity). Under this framework propagated crude AMF assemblages, derived from Eastern coastal sand dunes, were applied as inocula on rooted semi-woody olive tree cuttings (Oleaeuropeacv.koroneiki),to evaluate their effects on plant physiology and root endophytic microbial communities under salinity stress.