Growth of mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia Duham.) seedlings and the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in V-shaped microcatchments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61326/jofbs.v6i1.04Keywords:
Pistacia lentiscus var. chia, Rainwater harvesting, V-shaped microcatchments, Semi-arid afforestationAbstract
Afforestation success in semi-arid Mediterranean regions is increasingly constrained by water scarcity and climate change. Conventional planting techniques often fail to provide sufficient soil moisture for optimal seedling establishment and growth, highlighting the need for effective water management strategies. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) techniques, combined with plant-supportive treatments, offer a promising approach to overcome these limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of V-shaped microcatchment systems and plant-supportive applications, including polymer, osmoprotectant, and mycorrhiza, on the early growth performance of Pistacia lentiscus seedlings. The experiment was conducted under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions using a randomized complete block design. At the end of the fourth growing season, root collar diameter and shoot height were measured. The sturdiness index was calculated, and mycorrhizal spores were counted. The results revealed that the terrace control (C-A) consistently produced the lowest growth values, indicating the inadequacy of conventional methods under water-limited conditions. In contrast, all microcatchment treatments significantly improved seedling performance and mycorrhizal spore counts. Overall, microcatchment systems increased soil moisture availability and promoted significant improvements in both height and diameter growth compared to the control. In conclusion, water availability was identified as the primary limiting factor for afforestation success. The integration of V-shaped microcatchment systems with plant-supportive treatments provides an effective and sustainable strategy to enhance seedling establishment and growth under semi-arid conditions.
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