Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and vermicompost on biological yield, concentration and uptake of micronutrients in wheat cultivars ‘Bahar and Shiraz’

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student, Tehran University

2 Professor, Shiraz University

3 Assistant Professor, Shiraz University

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)  and vermicompost on biological yield, stem height, spike length, and concentration and uptake of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) in straw of two wheat cultivars as a factorial experiment arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Treatments included two levels of AMF (with and without AMF), two levels of vermicompost (0 and 1%, w/w), and two wheat cultivars (Shiraz and Bahar). Results showed that maximum biological yield, stem height and spike length obtained by application of vermicompost (without AMF) in Bahar cultivar. Biological yield, spike length, Zn and Mn concentrations, and total uptake of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu significantly affected by vermicompost application. Maximum concentration and uptake of Zn observed in AMF treatments (without vermicompost) in Bahar cultivar. Mn uptake was increased when vermicompost and AMF were applied to soil samples but it was decreased when AMF was not applied. Biological yield, stem height, concentration and uptake of Zn and Mn were higher in Bahar cultivar compared to Shiraz cultivar. It might be concluded that biological fertilizers increased the wheat yield which is a strategic product. Yield and micronutrients uptake in Bahar cultivar were higher than Shiraz ones.

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