Effect of vermicompost and Rhizophagus irregularis fungi on yield, nutrient uptake and chlorophyll content of two wheat cultivars

Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and vermicompost in agriculture as promoting factors to improve the soil quality and plant nutrition, plant growth and yield, is considered as an important and valuable findings in soil fertility and plant nutrition. In order to study the effect of vermicompost and Rhizophagus irregularis fungi on some growth and nutritional responses of two wheat cultivars, a factorial experiment was conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) in greenhouse conditions. Treatments were included: two levels of Rhizophagus irregularis fungi (with and without fungi), two levels of vermicompost (with and without) and two wheat cultivars (Bahar and Shiraz). The results showed that the application of vermicompost increased the mean grain and straw yields of wheat cultivars by 57.8% and 65.6%, respectively, compared to the control. So that, grain and straw yields, total uptake of P, concentration and total uptake of N, total uptake of K and the percentage of root colonization in Bahar cultivar were significantly higher than Shiraz cultivar. The same results obtained in Rhizophagus irregularis fungi treatment. Remarkable increase was observed in the concentration and total uptake of P and N in straw for Bahar cultivar compared to the control. Whereas there is no significant effect on Shiraz cultivar. Rhizophagus irregularis fungi also induced higher root colonization for Bahar cultivar (35.48% increase) compared to Shiraz cultivar. In general, Bahar cultivar was superior to Shiraz cultivar both in term of shoot yield and response to vermicompost and fungi application.