Combined Effect of Biochar and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth and Performance in Calcareous Soil

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of combined application of biochar and mycorrhizal fungi on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and performance in calcareous soil. The experiment of this study consists of sixteen treatments (two levels of mycorrhiza, two types of manures, and four levels of biochar) as a factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates. The results showed that Cattle 1 t.h-1+Mycorrhiza treatment produced the maximum plant height, percent N in seeds, percent protein in seeds, weight of the shoot after drying, weight 100 seed, and root length after two months of planting compared to other treatment including Poultry 1 t.h-1+Mycorrhiza. This indicates that Cattle 1 t.h.-1+Mycorrhiza has a higher effect on the performance of wheat than other treatments. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that combinations of biochar and mycorrhizal fungi have a significant effect on the growth and performance of wheat plants in calcareous soil. Therefore, Cattle1 t.h.-1+Mycorrhiza can be used by farmers to improve their wheat performance in calcareous soil in Iraq.