The Effect of Piriformospora Indica on Shoot and Root Dry Matter Yield and Zinc and Iron Uptake by Wheat in a Calcareous Soil

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiency is common in wheat growing areas of the world particularly in calcareous soils. Soil application of chemical fertilizers is considered as a cost-effective and easy approach to combat micronutrient deficiency. However, due to economic, environmental, and agronomic constrains, efficiency of soil fertilization is low in most calcareous soils. Therefore, finding proper and effective approaches to improve fertilizer use efficiency and/or soil availability of metal nutrients is of great importance. This research was performed to investigate the effect of endophyte fungus Piriformospora indica and Zn-sulfate application on root and shoot dry matter yield and uptake of Fe and Zn by wheat. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized factorial design; each treatment contained three replicates. Two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. Durum and Rushan) were exposed to two Zn fertilizer rates (0 and 15 mg/kg ZnSO4.7H2O) and were inoculated with and without P. indica. Results showed that inoculation with P. indica increased root and shoot uptake of Fe (25 and 27%, respectively) and Zn (46 and 26%, respectively). In general, inoculation of roots with P. indica resulted in significant increase of shoot and root dry matter yield and uptake of Fe and Zn by both studied wheat cultivars. Infection of wheat roots with P. indica seems to be an effective and environment-friendly approach to improve Fe and Zn uptake in calcareous soil; although further research is needed to clarify all aspects of this approach.