The Synergistic Effects of Mycorrhiza and Zeolite on Improving Soil Properties and Establishing Capparis spinosa L. under Arid Climate Conditions of Semnan Region

Sabet Kheirabadi, Ali; Yeganeh, Hassan; Bahadori, Farzaneh; Niknahad, Hamid

doi:10.22034/jdmal.2026.2078482.1519

The Synergistic Effects of Mycorrhiza and Zeolite on Improving Soil Properties and Establishing Capparis spinosa L. under Arid Climate Conditions of Semnan Region

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Ali Sabet Kheirabadi ¹

Hassan Yeganeh ²

Farzaneh Bahadori ³

Hamid Niknahad ²

¹ Ph.D student of Rangeland Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgān, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Research Center of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Semnan, Iran

10.22034/jdmal.2026.2078482.1519

Abstract

Arid and semi-arid regions of Iran face significant challenges in establishing vegetation due to soil salinity, lack of organic matter, and low water retention. Capparis spinosa, a native and drought-tolerant species, is considered suitable for land rehabilitation. This study examined the interaction between Zeolite, a mineral soil amendment, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, a biological agent, on soil properties and the establishment of Capparis spinosa L. The experiment used a factorial design with three Zeolite levels (0, 150, and 300 g per planting pit), three mycorrhiza levels involving Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae, and two plant ecotypes—Alborz and Yazd—with three replications. Soil physicochemical properties and plant growth indices were measured at the end of the growing season. Results showed that the combined application of mycorrhiza and Zeolite significantly enhanced most soil properties and growth indices of C. spinosa. Notably, soil organic carbon increased to 0.93%, up from 0.56% in the control, along with a 65% rise in organic matter when applying 300g Zeolite with Funneliformis mosseae. In this optimal treatment, the establishment rate reached 96%, compared to less than 50% in control. The Alborz ecotype demonstrated superior nutrient uptake and chlorophyll accumulation. In conclusion, the synergistic effect of mycorrhiza and Zeolite significantly improves soil quality and promotes C. spinosa growth under arid conditions. This integrated method offers a sustainable strategy to enhance seedling survival and restore vegetation in Iran’s drylands.

Keywords

Arid ecosystems

Drought tolerance

Nutrient uptake

Soil physicochemical properties

Sustainable management

Subjects