Effect of Mycorrhiza and Phosphate Solublizing Bacteria on Yield of Corn (Zea mays L.) (KSC 704) under Different Irrigation Regimes

Abstract

Application of mycorrhizal fungi may improve the nutritional status of the plant and increase its resistance to environmental stresses, such as deficiencies water. This research was conducted in a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Hamidieh region of Ahvaz in 2018. Treatments consisted of irrigation regimes with three levels (60, 90 and 120 mm evaporation from class A pan evaporation) assigned to main plots and combined use of mycorrhiza and phosphate stabilizing bacteriawith four levels (non application, mycorrhiza, mycorrhiza and phosphate stabilizing bacteria and Phosphate solublizing bacteria) to sub plots. The results showed that the effects of irrigation regimes and combined use of mycorrhiza and phosphorus fertilizer on leaf area index, symbiosis percent, seed number of seeds per row of corn ear, number of seeds per ear, 1000 seed weight and seed yield were significant. Mean comparisons showed that combined treatment of mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate solubilizing bacteria resulted in the maximum number of seeds per ear, number of seeds per row, 1000 seed weight and leaf area index. The highest seed yield (6400.55 kg.ha-1) was obtained from 60 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan and the combined application of mycorrhiza and phosphate solubilizing bacteria and lowest from 120 mm evaporation and without application of mycorrhiza and phosphate solubilizing bacteria. It can be concluded that combined use of mycorrhiza and phosphate solubilizing bacteria can be considered promising in growing maize for seed at this experimental region.

Keywords

• biological phosphorus fertilizers
• leaf area index
• mycorrhiza
• seed yield