Introduction: Biofertilizers play a crucial role in soil fertility by dissolving stabilized phosphates and
producing the nutrients needed for plant growth in the soil. One of the most important soil microorganisms is
mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi, with their extensive hyphae network and increasing the level and speed of
root uptake, increases the plant efficiency in nutrients, especially inactive elements such as phosphorus, and
improves plant growth. Mycorrhiza fungi increase nutrient uptake of plants due to stimulation of root formation
and subsequent increase in root level through the production of auxin and gibberellin hormones. By extending
the root system, mycorrhizal fungi increase the total absorption surface of inoculated plants and thus improves
crop plant access to water absorption. Considering the important and critical role of roots in crops, having
sufficient information and understanding the morphological characteristics of the root system is important.
Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the role of the root system in the presence of mycorrhizal
fungi in new barley cultivars in the Ilam region in rainfed conditions.
Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of inoculation with mycorrhiza fungi on the root
system of barley cultivars in rainfed conditions, a factorial field experiment was carried out based on a
randomized complete block design with three replications in the farm station of Sarablah Agricultural Research
Center during 2019-2020 cropping season. Experimental treatments were including barley cultivars (Mahali,
Mahour, Khorram, and Fardan) and fertilizer sources treatment including control (without fertilizer), 50% P
fertilizer, mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae, Glomus etunicatum, and Rhizophagus irregularis), mycorrhizal
fungi+50% P chemical fertilizer and 100% P chemical fertilizer. Root-related characteristics were measured
inside the field at the pollination stage using a metal cylinder with dimen