Effect of the foliar-spraying of chitosan-plus on the growth and morphology traits of Mentha spicata L. under mycorrhizal fungus symbiosis in an organic farming system

Subject Areas : Medicinal Plants

Mina Kaviani Darani ¹ , Abdollah Ghasemi Pirbalouti ² , Mohammad Reza Ardakani ³ , Hamid Mozafari ⁴ , Davoud Habibi ⁵

1 - Department of Agronomy, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Agricultural Engineering and Plant Breeding, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
4 - Department of Agronomy, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
5 - Department of Agronomy, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2024-05-02 Accepted : 2024-11-19 Published : 2025-06-22

Keywords: Mentha spicata, growth characteristics, mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer, chitosan plus foliar application, mycorrhizal and chitosan coexistence,

Abstract :

In order to investigate the effects of the foliar-spraying of chitosan and inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and morphological characteristics and essential oil of Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) under organic farming conditions, a field experiment was done in an organic farm located on the Research and Education field of I.A.U., Karaj Branch (Mehrdasht), Iran. The experimental treatments were arranged as a factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The experimental treatments included factor A: the foliar-spraying (control, water spraying, chitosan foliar spraying at two levels of 2000 and 4000 ppm) and inoculation (inoculation mycorrhizal fungus and non-inoculation). The results of the experimental treatments in this study on the growth and morphological characteristics of the mint plant showed that the interaction effect of mycorrhizal inoculum × chitosan foliar-spraying on some characteristics such as chlorophyll (in particular chlorophyll a), the fresh plant weight, phosphorus concentration, colonization, and essential oil yield per area was significant. The utilization of mycorrhizal fungi alone the foliar spraying of chitosan could an increase the growth and morphological traits, acquiring phosphorus, the fresh plant weight, and essential oil yield through root growth and further improve the quantitative and qualitative yield of the mint plant. Finally, it can be concluded that the foliar application of chitosan and the soil applied of mycorrhizal fungi due to the non-use of chemical fertilizers in an organic farming system can lead to the health of agricultural products, soil, and environment.

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