Increasing maize (Zea mays L.) yield and yield components by mycorrhiza (Glomus mossea L.) and seed priming under salty soil condition

To evaluate the effects of mycorrhiza and seed priming on yield and yield components of single cross 704 hybrid of maize (Zea mays L.) under salty soil condition, combined analysis experiment was carried out with a factorial arrangement of two factors based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014 and 2015 in both saline (EC=7dS/m) and non-saline (EC=2.5dS/m) lands at north eastern of Khuzestan province. The first factor was seed inoculation (with and without mycorrhiza (Glomus mossea L.) inoculation) and the second factor was priming with NaCl solution, salicylic acid and tap water as well as non-primed. The results showed that seed priming and inoculation with mycorrhiza treatments had significant effects on all traits in both places in two years. In saline soil, the highest increase was observed in salicylic acid treatment, which increased the grain number in ear (30.1%), 1000-grain weight (11.1%) and grain yield (44.6%) compared to non-primed and non-inoculated. Inoculation with mycorrhiza increased the number of seeds per ear (17%), 1000-grain weight (3.4%) and grain yield (20.9%) compared to non-primed and non-inoculated. Interaction of seed priming and inoculation with mycorrhiza increased all traits. The highest increase was observed in salicylic acid priming treatments and inoculation with mycorrhiza that increased colonization percentage (93.5%), Leaf area index (23.7%), the number of seeds per ear (36.8%), 1000-grain weight (16.2%) and grain yield (58.9%) compared to non-primed and non-inoculated.