Effect of Mycorrhizal Strain on Yield and Essence of Two Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Land Races under Water Stress Conditions

Subject Areas : Journal of Crop Ecophysiology

Bahram Mirshekari ¹ (Associate Prof., Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran)

Received: 2015-06-09 Accepted : 2016-09-13 Published : 2016-10-22

Keywords: Relative water content, Seed inoculation, Chlorophyle content, Evaporation from pan,

Abstract :

This study was aimed at the evaluation of yield and essence responses of two fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) local varieties to mycorrhiza under water stress conditions. It was performed in a split split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design at the Agricultural Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Iran, during 2013. Factors under study were two fennel land races of Esfahan and Malayer assigned to main plots, three levels to irrigation (70, 100 and 130 mm evaporation from pan) to sub plots and use of two mycorrhizal strains (Rhizophagus intraradices and Funneliformis mosseaeas) and control to sub sub plot. Results revealed that relative water content of leaves in inoculated seeds were improved. It was also observed that chlorophyle content index of fennel leaves in inoculated plants increased by 39% compared to the control. When inoculated plants were irrigated at 100 mm evaporation from pan, it was increased in secondary branches by 4.7 per plant. Plants irrigated at 70 mm and 100 mm evaporation produced higher essence yield (18.5 l.ha-1), but its increase was only 11 l.ha-1 when plants irrigation at 130 mm evaporation. It is concluded that plants in semi arid areas may tolerate drought when seeds inoculated with mycorrhiza better than plants non-inoculated seeds. 

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