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The influence of Funneliformis mosseae (Syninym: Glomus mosseae) on the physiology and growth of Populus euphratica seedlings was investigated under drought stress. To mimic natural conditions, plants were subjected to a gradual decrease of soil water content for a period of 21 d. Our results demonstrated that the fungus F. mosseae produced positive effects on plants. Colonization frequency and mycorrhizal infection intensity of the roots of P. euphratica seedlings in the inoculated group were higher than those in the non-inoculated group at 21 d of withholding irrigation. However, the leaf water potential and leaf gas exchange attributes of P euphratica seedlings did not significantly affect either inoculted with F. mosseae or not under the optimum level of soil water content. In response to progressive decreases in soil water, remarkable changes were observed in predawn leaf water potential to the non-inoculated group compared to the inoculated group. Stomatal closure timing was 4 h delayed in the inoculated seedlings as compared to the non-inoculated seedlings when exposed to severe drought stress. However, a significant difference in the daily leaf stomatal conductance changes was found between the inoculated and the non-inoculated group at 15 d of witholding irrigation. The continuous increase in the soil water deficit resulted in a lower photochemical quenching coefficient in seedlings. Moreover, the initial seedling survival rate was 50% and 25% in the inoculated group and non-inoculated group, respectively. (C) 2017 Friends Science Publishers