Mitigation of multiple summer stresses on hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.): effects of the new arbuscular mycorrhiza Glomus iranicum tenuihypharum sp. nova

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) on vegetative and reproductive cycle of young hazelnut plants, cv. Tonda Giffoni, under high temperature and low water availability was investigated. Hazelnut plants were inoculated with G. iranicum for two consecutive years in spring. G. iranicum improved the leaf physiological performances, preserved the integrity of the chloroplast photosystems, promoting the recovery, and raises the chlorophyll content in the summer when the vegetative activity and fruit growth occur. In AM plants, leaves were kept functional for longer period and photosynthetic activity was higher in post-harvest period which coincides with the second peak of radical activity and the beginning of senescence (Tombesi, 1979).Moreover, the AM plants had a more intense vegetative growth and higher yield and kernel oil content. These results point out the beneficial effect of G. iranicwn for hazelnut cultivation and its potential to mitigate the effect of climate change on this crop.