Paper Details

Growth and yield of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.), as affected by Mycorrhizal symbiosis and Azospirillum brasilense under rainfed conditions

Fayaz Aghayari, Sadegh Maleki, Mohammad Reza Ardakani, Farhad Rejali, Amir Hossein Faregh

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/4.12.253-262

Int. J. Biosci. 4(12), 253-262. June, 2014. (PDF)

Abstract:

Microbial interactions are being used to improve the yield and drought tolerance of cultivated plants in some semi-arid regions. A field experiment was conducted aiming to determine the possibility of improving the lentil performance as co-inoculated with Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) fungi and Azospirillum under rain-fed conditions, in Iran. A factorial experiment conducted on the basis of randomized complete block design with four replicates, in which two VAM fungi (Glomus intraradices and G. mosseae) and Azospirillum brasilense inoculated with two lentil cultivars; Mashad and Naaz (large seed and small seed, respectively). Results imparted the substantial impact of VAM fungi on grain protein, root colonization and shoot dry weight. Highest value for shoot dry weight recorded in plants which inoculated with G. intraradices and highest values for root colonization and grain protein content was observed in plants which inoculated with G. mosseae. Also, Azospirillum had a significant effect on shoot dry weight and root colonization. A significant differences on grain protein content observed when combination of both microorganisms have been used. The tripartite interaction between VAM fungi, Azospirillum and lentil cultivars found to be significant for grain protein content and root colonization.