Abstract
Problem statement: In order to evaluate the effects of co-inoculation of Azotobacter and Mycorrhiza with nitrogen and phosphorus levels on yield and yield components of spring safflower, this study was carried out in the experimental field of Farahan University in Markazi province- Iran in 2006. Approach: A factorial experiment in the form of complete randomized block design with three replications has been used. Inoculation of Azotobacter (without and with inoculation by Azotobacter chroococum) and Mycorrhiza (without and with inoculation by Glomus intraradices) under different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus levels [F0 = N0+P0(kg ha-1), F1 = N50+P25(kg ha-1), F2 = N100+P50(kg ha-1) and F3 = N150+P75(kg ha-1)] on spring safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.-cv. IL-111) have been studied. Results: In this study some characteristics such as: Harvest index, hectolitre weight, root dry weight, seed yield, mycorrhizal root colonization, number of days to maturity were assessed. Results indicated that treatment (A1M1F2) with average grain yield 1239 (kg ha-1) and treatment (A0M1F0) with average grain yield 723.7 (kg ha-1) were significantly higher than other treatments. Seed inoculation at the planting date with Azotobacter and Mycorrhiza caused increasing grain yield about 6.13% in compare with control treatment. Conclusion: Seed yield and yield components of safflower have been affected significantly by the inoculation with Azotobacter and Mycorrhiza, because these biofertilizers can fix atmospheric nitrogen and increase phosphorus availability in soil and enhanced absorb elements by safflower.
Highlights
The excessive use of chemical fertilizers have generated several environmental problems
Results from the present study indicate that grain yield have been affected significantly by the inoculation with Azotobacter
The results of correlation coefficients between traits show that grain yield has a positive and significant correlation with root dry weight and mycorrhizal colonization at 1 and 5% probability levels, respectively and a negative signification with days to maturity at 1% probability level (Table 5)
Summary
The excessive use of chemical fertilizers have generated several environmental problems. In Iran, the main oil seed crops are canola, sunflower, soybean and cotton, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is one of the native plants and farmers don’t produce safflower in a large scale because it does not have high grain yield and with a low oil content. Safflower has been grown for centuries, primarily for its colorful petals to use as a food coloring and flavoring agent, for vegetable oils and for preparing textile dye in the Far East, central and northern Asia and European Caucasian[13]. It has received considerable interest recently as forage plant[18]. Most of the experiments have indicated that biofertilizers can play a major role on a soil with poor fertility that safflower could be grown on it[17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
