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BACKGROUND: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi establish symbioses with most agricultural plants and improves growth under soil stress conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the functional contribution of 2 AM fungal inocula (a native consortium isolated from saline soils of the Atacama Desert, 'HMC', and a reference inoculum Claroideoglomus claroideum, 'Cc') on the growth and antioxidant compounds of two cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativa cvs. 'Grand Rapids' and 'Lollo Bionda') at increasing salt stress conditions (0, 40, and 80 mmol L-1 NaCl). At 60 days of plant growth, the symbiotic development, biomass production, lipid peroxidation, proline content, antioxidant enzymes, phenolic compound profiles and antioxidant activity were evaluated.

RESULTS: The 2AM inocula differentially colonized the roots of Grand Rapids and Lollo Bionda lettuce plants. The AM symbioses increased proline synthesis and superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities and diminished phenolic compound synthesis and oxidatived a magein lettuce, which was related positively to a higher growth of inoculated plants under salt exposure. The higher concentration of phenolic compounds induced by salinity in non-inoculated plants was associated with high oxidative stress and low fresh biomass production.

CONCLUSION: Modulation of salinity stress in lettuce by AM root colonization is a result of changes of antioxidant enzymatic systems that reduce oxidative damage and sustain growth. The application of AM fungi to improve crop production by means of directed inoculation with efficient AM fungal strains may enhance lettuce production on soils plagued with salinity worldwide. (C) 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.