One of the most important problems in turfgrass industry is shortage of available water. New management strategies to improve turfgrass drought resistance are critical. Various cultural practices for water saving including inoculation with Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) have been used. Mycorrhizal fungi have the ability to maintaining plants integrity under drought stress through making some changes in morphology, physiology, molecular structure and biochemical functions. The objective of this study was to examine effect of inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi on visual quality and drought response of perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perrene ) and wheatgrass ( Agropyron desertorum ). a factorial experiment carried out based o completely randomized design with 5 replications. The study was conducted in pots at the surrounding area of the Isfahan University of Tecnology's greenhouse. Treatments included 4 AMF (G. intraradices, G. mosseae, a mixture of both species and control non - inoculated plants) and two species of grass (perennial ryegrass and wheatgrass). Drought stress applied through complete break after recording acceptable turfgrass coverage. Sampling and measurements was done in two times: before the drought stress and 50% necrosis of the turfgrass. The results showed that drought stress has significant negative impact on most morphological and physiological indices of plants. The results also showed that AMF inoculation increased growth and morphological indices such as height, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots and the depth and root density. It also affected color of the grasses which improved it significantly. AMF inoculation also affected growth and physiological indices such as relative water content, chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline, and soluble sugars contents, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase activities. It also increased the absorption of some nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. To sum up the results suggested that to use wheatgrass for more resistance in lack of water. AMF inoculation with G. intraradices for perennial grass and G. mosseae for wheatgrass is recommended. Further investigation is needed to improve the quality of wheatgrass as commercial turfgrass. Keywords: Perennial ryegrass, Wheatgrass, Drought stress, Mycorrhiza, Appearance quality, Nutrient, Antioxidant enzymes.
