Purpose: Nowadays using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is an important environment-friendly management technique for improving crop productivity. The current study was conformed to evaluate the inoculation effect by different AM fungi on morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics as well as nutrient uptake of Calendula officinalis L. Methods: A pot experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments were inoculation with nine Glomus species included G. mosseae, G. intraradicese, G. fasciculatum, G. caledonium, G. claroideum, G. versiform, G. geosporum, G. etanicatum, G. gigaspora, and non-inoculated treatment. Results: Results of the present investigation showed that the C. officinalis plants benefit more from the AMF colonization regards to growth, biomass, and biochemical accumulation. According to obtained results, the effect and outcome of colonization depend on the AMF species. Among the studied Glomus species, G. mosseae, G. etanicatum, and G. geosporum showed a considerable effect on increasing both growth and antioxidant metabolites in C. officinalis. The inoculation by these species with a high colonization rate increased the growth and yield of C. officinalis by providing essential nutrients and increasing relative water content and photosynthesis pigments. Also, the highest antioxidant capacity of leaves and flowers of C. officinalis in term of total phenol, flavonoids, and carotenoids content as well as antioxidant enzymes activity were observed in the inoculated plants by these species. Conclusion: So that G. mosseae, G. etanicatum, and G. geosporum can be suggested as suitable AM fungi for use in the cultivation of the C. officinalis plant.

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