Evaluation of the Possibility of Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Using Nitroxin Biofertilizer in the Production of Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) Medicinal Plant

Anise is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants due to its essential oils especially in its seeds. Application of biofertilizers in a sustainable agriculture system improves sustainability of yield especially in medicinal plants production. Hence, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the Research Farm of Bu-Ali Sina University in Hamedan was done. Experimental treatments were seed inoculation with Nitroxin biofertilizer at two levels (seed inoculation and non inoculation) and nitrogen (N) chemical fertilizer at four levels (0, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended N based on soil analysis). With increasing N consumption from 0 to 100% of the recommended, significantly increased plant height, number of branches per plant, number of umbellate per umbel, number of seed per umbel, 1000- seed weight, biological yield and seed yield. Also, in comparison with non inoculation treatment, inoculation treatment increased number of branches per plant, number of umbellate per umbel and 1000- seed weight up to 16, 15.5 and 11 percent, respectively. Mean comparisons for interaction of N fertilizer × biofertilizer indicated that the treatment of seed inoculation with consumption of 50% recommended N, produced the highest seed yield. On the other hand, this treatment in addition to produce satisfactory yield, considerably decreased nitrogen fertilizer consumption which could be a step toward healthy production and sustainable agriculture.