میکوریزا

Fertilizer management is a key factor in the successful cultivation of medicinal plants. The use of organic and bio-fertilizers in the production of these plants is of great importance, aiming to eliminate or significantly reduce the use of chemical inputs, enhance soil fertility, and improve plant growth and quality. Therefore, the study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of ecological inputs on some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Borago officinalis.  The experiment was used in a completely randomized block design with three replications in 2018-2019 in Fahlian, Noorabad, and Fars province. The first factor includes compost at three levels (0, 5 and 10 ton.ha-1) and the second factor includes biological fertilizers at four levels (Control, Mycorrhizal, Bacillus and Mycorrhiza + Bacillus). The seeds of Borago officinalis were obtained from Pakan Bazr Company in Isfahan, while arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacterial suspensions were sourced from the Soil and Water Research Institute in Karaj. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were applied at a rate of 80 kg per hectare (each gram of the fungal sample contained approximately 120 viable spores) and at a rate of 20 grams per plant during sowing, placed in furrows specifically prepared for seed planting in a banding method. Additionally, the roots of the seedlings were inoculated with the corresponding bacterial suspension and then transplanted into the main plots. The composts used in the experiment were prepared from animal manure and rice straw and stubble.  The results showed a significant increase in the chlorophyll index and mucilage of borage leaf with increasing compost levels from 0 to 10 tons per hectare, and among the biofertilizer levels, the highest amount of these characteristics was obtained from the combined treatment of mycorrhizae and bacteria biofertilizers. The highest amount of studied morphological and functional characteristics, especially the number of flowers per branch, the number of flowers per plant and flower yield was obtained when applying 10 ton.ha-1 of compost and integrated application of the studied micro organisms, and the lowest amount was obtained from control, which had no compost and biological fertilizers were not used.  The application of compost and biological fertilizers studied (mycorrhizae and Bacillus) had a positive effect on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of borage. Although each of these nutritional sources in the production of borage led to the improvement of studied characteristics, nevertheless, the combined use of compost and biological fertilizers had a greater effect and efficiency in increasing these traits.

Cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants has had long a special rank in the traditional agricultural systems of Iran and these systems have played an important role in creating diversity and sustainability. Management of soil nutrients using organic fertilizers is among major pillars of sustainable agriculture. Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a medicinal plant, which proper nutrition and absorption of mineral elements play an important role in increasing its quantitative and qualitative performance. The high cost of fertilizers in farming systems, soil pollution and degradation of soil are factors that caused to full use of available renewable nutrient sources of plant (organic and biological) with optimal application of fertilizers in order to maintain fertility, structure, biological activity, exchange capacity and water-holding capacity of the water in soil. The global approach to balance nutrition and the production of medicinal plants, towards the use of sustainable agricultural systems and the use of management methods, such as application of biofertilizers, is improvement the quantitative and qualitative performance of these plants. So, the use of natural inputs such as organic and biological fertilizers seems to be a good way to move towards a sustainable production system. Accordingly, due to the possible effect of organic fertilizers such as biochar and vermicompost and biological fertilizers like mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting bacteria on the quantity and quality of peppermint essential oil, this research was carried out under organic conditions.

The present research was conducted as factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design in three replications at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University in 2017. The experimental site is located at 36º 39ʹ42ʺ N latitude and 53º03´54ʺ E longitude with -11 m above sea level. Soil samples were taken from depths of 0-30 cm before land preparation. Treatment consisted biochar on two level (0 and 10 ton ha-1) and organic and biological fertilizers on five level (no fertilizer, vermicompost (10 ton ha-1), Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azotobacter and Arbuscular mycorrhizal (Glomus mosseae, G. intradices and G. etunicatum. Weeds and pests were controlled mechanically or by hand and no herbicides or pesticides were used. The measured properties also included the pepermint yield, essential oil and essential oil compounds.

The results of analysis of variance showed that the simple effects of biochar and organic and biological fertilizers had a significant effect on the shoot fresh weight at 1% of probability level, while the interaction effect of experimental treatments on this trait did not have significant effect. According to the results, application of 10 ton ha-1 of biochar, caused a 42.96% increase in shoot fresh weight compared to no application. In the study of the simple effect of organic and biological fertilizers on shoot fresh weight, the results showed that the highest and lowest ones were obtained with mycorrhiza application and control (no application of organic and biological fertilizers) with an average of 667.95 and 418.08 g m-2, respectively. The highest shoot dry weight with an average of 89.08 g m-2 was associated with the combined use of biochar and mycorrhiza and the lowest one belonged to the control (no application of biochar and organic and biological fertilizers) with an average of 61.76 g m-2. The results also showed that the interaction of biochar and organic and biological fertilizers on essential oil compounds such as Menthone, Menthol, α-Pinene, Cineol-1,8, iso Menthone, Pulegone, Piperitone oxide, Menthyl acetate and Menthofuran was significant.

In general, the results showed that the use of biochar and biological and organic fertilizers can be effective in both the quality and quantity of peppermint essential oil, when the highest percentage of essential oil and the most peppermint essential oil compounds were obtained in treatments with application of biochar and biological and organic fertilizers. Where, the use of the bacterium Azobacter and Pseudomonas with biochar had the greatest effect on the quality of peppermint essential oil, especially in Menthol and Menton compounds. Finally, it can be concluded that the combined use of biochar with biological fertilizers has a significant impact on the quantitative and qualitative increase of peppermint essential oil in ecological or low input agricultural.

Aloe vera is a permanent, evergreen species with special industrial and pharmaceutical applications. However, information about its nutrition management is scarce. Plants absorb nutrients through complex interactions in the rhizosphere between roots, symbiotic or non-symbiotic microorganisms and soil fauna. Inoculations of soil microorganisms (in the form of biofertilizers) to improve crop production and plant health were mainly undertaken for the group of bacteria known as PGPB (plant growth-promoting bacteria) or PGPR (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria) and mycorrhizal fungi. To be effective, inoculated organisms must have soil conditions that are suitable for development, which can be improved by applying manure. Compared to the use of inorganic fertilizers, the application of organic manure in agriculture fields results in significant effects on microbial biomass, on the profile of existing species and, consequently, on the enzymes they circulate in the soil and its pool of organic matter. In this way, it interacts with the overall fertility of the environment. Different options of soil fertility management for increasing yield of aloe vera were studied in a field experiment.

A split plot experimentwas conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2012-2013 growing season in Agricultural Research Center of Bushehr province (29º16'0"N 51º31'0"E and 110 m above sea level). Seedlings were planted on May 4, 2012 with a distance of 0.7 m spacing on row with 1 m distance. The distance between Aloe vera rows was 1 m. The drip irrigation method was used for irrigation.  Main plot factor consisted of 0 and 20 ton.ha-1 sheep manure and five methods of soil fertility management were assigned to subplots including 1) chemical fertilizer (80 kg.ha-1 super phosphate+200 kg.ha-1 urea), 2) Mycorrhiza (using soil containing fungi from mosea), 3) biological fertilizer nitrogen (containing Azotobacter spp; Pseudomomas spp; and Azosprillium spp), 4) combination of Mycorrhiza and Nitrogen, and 5) no fertilizer (control). Monthly samplings were taken in 150, 180, 210, 240, 270 and 330 days after planting. Fresh and dry weight of leaves, leaf length, width and thickness and number of leaves per plant were measured. Harvestable leaves were considered as final yield.

The results indicated that interaction between manure and chemical or biological fertilizers was significant for all measured traits. Application of sheep manure was led to significantly higher growth and yield of aloe vera with better performance when manure was combined with chemical fertilizers. The highest number of leaves was obtained from integrated use of manure and chemical fertilizers with about 15 leaf per plant. While the lowest number of leaves was observed in control treatment. The interaction between treatments had a significant effect (p≤0.01) on leaf thickness. Plants treated with combination of chemical fertilizer and sheep manure had significant differences with other treatments, except with integrated use of biological fertilizers and manure. The highest fresh and dry weight of plant 3107.2 and 78.1 g plant-1, respectively and the highest final yield (36.04 tons.ha-1) was achieved with integrated use of manure and chemical fertilizers. The results also indicated that high aloe vera yields with great quality could be obtained with combined application of manure and biological fertilizers as an alternative for chemical fertilizers.

Producing medicinal plants under low input of chemical fertilizers is of great importance for human health, environment as well as production costs. Results of this experiment showed that application of manure with biofertilizers could be considered as a proper alternative to chemical fertilizers. Nutrition of aloe vera with this integrated management method will results to high yield and quality in addition to improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil.AcknowledgmentWe are grateful to Ebrahim Farrokhi and Kohzad Sartavi for their help with the field experiments, collecting field data and providing necessary advices to carry out this work.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an annual and C4 plant that belongs to the family of Portulacaceae. The plant is drought- and salt-tolerant which contains high amounts of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins. Nitrogen is the key element in soil fertility and crop production. Attention to the soil quality and health has increased in recent years, especially for sustainable production of medicinal crops. So that, for production of healthy food in industrialized countries, using natural and on-farm inputs has been considered. One of the practical ways to achieve this goal is organic and biofertilizers. Given the importance of Purslane as a medicinal plant and due to the fact that there is not detailed information about the nitrogen requirement for this plant, this study was conducted to effect of organic, biological and chemical fertilizers on yield,  N and P use efficiency Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) in Birjand, Iran 

In order to investigate the effect of organic, biological and chemical fertilizers on the yield and yield components of purslane seed, an experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications in Birjand University Research Farm in crop years 2015-2016 and 2017- 2018. Experimental treatments were based on a combination of four sources of nitrogen supply: cow manure, vermicompost, fertilizer (NPK) and control (without any fertilizer application), and four types of biofertilizer including: nitroxin (including azotobacter and azospirillum), mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices), Biosulfur (including thiobacillus with sulfur) and control (without any fertilizer). The traits studied in this experiment included: biomass yield, grain yield, nitrogen and phosphorus biomass percentage, nitrogen and phosphorus biomass content, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiency, seed based nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiency, agronomic efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus based They were. 

The results showed that the effect of nitrogen sources on all studied traits (except physiological grain nitrogen efficiency) was significant. The highest grain yield (1959.99 kg.ha-1) and biomass yield (9782.43 kg.ha-1) were obtained from NPK treatment with no significant difference with cow manure. Also, the most nitrogen efficiency indices were obtained from NPK treatment. However, no significant difference was observed between agronomic efficiency of grain and cow manure. The highest phosphorus content and biomass phosphorus content were obtained from NPK treatment. However, with the use of organic and chemical fertilizers, the efficiency of phosphorus use decreased. The effect of biofertilizers on most of the studied traits (except biomass P percent) was not significant. Interaction of nitrogen sources and biofertilizers was significant on most of the studied traits (except grain yield, agronomic efficiency of N and P). 

Based on the results of this experiment, considering the environmental effects and increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use for sustainable production of purslane seed in Birjand region can be used as fertilizer replacement (NPK).

Considering the importance of sugar beet in West Azerbaijan province and also the occurrence of water-deficit stress in different periods of plant growth, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of water deficit stress on the quantitative and qualitative properties of sugar beet and also the effect of different soil additive treatments on modulating the effect of water deficit on sugar beet.

To investigate the effect of different soil amendment treatments on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sugar beet under different irrigation regimes an experiment was conducted in split-plot design based on complete random blocks with three replications Was conducted in two places in Mahabad and Miandoab at 218 crop seasons.  Irrigation regimes at three levels, including 60, 120, and 180 mm evaporation from Class A evaporation pan, were assigned to the main plots, and soil amendment treatments including superabsorbent A200, mycorrhiza seed inoculation, livestock manure, and control treatment were assigned to sub-plots.

The results showed that the application of mycorrhiza and superabsorbent in Mahabad had the highest leaf relative water content, shoot dry weight, root yield, sugar content, sugar yield, white sugar content, and white sugar yield. Interaction analysis showed the highest leaf area index (4.11), leaf relative water content (87.78%), shoot dry weight (4.11 t/ha), root yield (77.96 t/ha), sugar yield (13.38 t/ha), sugar extraction coefficient (86.63%) and white sugar yield (10.71 t/ha) were assigned to irrigation regime after 60 mm evaporation and superabsorbent application, Also, in the irrigation regime after 120 mm evaporation, application of mycorrhiza and superabsorbent significantly increased the white sugar yield compared to the control in 60 mm evaporation irrigation regime.

 it can be concluded that use mycosis and superabsorbent in the soil is recommended to save water consumption and mitigate the effect of water deficit stress.

The goals of study were to recognize the effect of bio-fertilizers on some quantitative and qualitative traits of Valerian under drought stress.  

The experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replicationes at the Research Farm of Urmia during two successive seasons of 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. The test factors included drought stress at three levels of irrigation 60, 90 and 120 mm evaporation from pan class A as the main factor and inoculation with bio fertilizer in eight levels including: 1-control (non-inoculation), 2-mycorrhiza, 3-Azotobacter, 4-Azospirilum, 5- combination of Azotobacter and Azospirilum, 6- combination of Azotobacter and Mycorrhiza, 7- combination of Azosperilum and Mycorrhiza, 8-Azotobacter, Mycorrhiza and Azospirilum as subplots.  

The results showed that with increasing drought stress, the plant height, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root volume, phosphorus and potassium decreased, and the percentage of valeric acid increased. The application of bio-fertilizers increased all studied traits except of the Valernic acid content.  

Based on the results of this study, with the application of bio-fertilizers, the effects of drought stress on the valerian can be modulated and it has been used in pursuit of the goals of sustainable agriculture.

Safflower is known as valuable oil plant due to its high quality of seed oil and the presence of more than 90% of unsaturated fatty acids. Drought stress is the most important factor limiting crop yields in many parts of the world, including Iran. Coexistence with mycorrhizal fungi increases growth, improves yield, and increases plant resistance to a variety of environmental stresses, including drought. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of coexistence with mycorrhiza on the tolerance of spring safflower cultivars at different levels of drought stress by measuring some quantitative and qualitative traits.

This experiment was conducted as a factorial-split plot based on randomized complete block design at research farm of Urmia agricultural high school during 2014 with three replications. The main plots (factor A and B) consisted of three levels of irrigation including optimum irrigation, moderate drought stress and severe drought stress and factor B included mycorrhiza in two levels: non-inoculation (control) and inoculation with mycorrhiza species Glomus mosseae. Sub plots (factor C) consisted of five spring safflower cultivars (Padideh, Gol Mehr, Goldasht, Safheh and Mexic).

The results of variance analysis showed that Severe drought stress compared to optimum irrigation reduced 1000-seed weight, number of seeds per head, number of head per plant, seed yield, oil yield and protein yield by about 29, 30, 33,58, 62 and 63%, respectively. Inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi compared to non-inoculation increased seed yield, chlorophyll index, protein yield, 1000-seed weight and biological yield by about 14, 13, 14, 5 and 39%, respectively.

One of the best methods for improving the quantitative and qualitative performance of safflower cultivars, especially under drought stress conditions, inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi is recommended. Also, in all three different levels of drought stress conditions, among the cultivars studied, Padideh cultivar was superior to other cultivars for yield and this cultivar is suitable for cultivation in this area.

Due to the importance of Iranian Ox-Tongue (Echium amoenum) as one of the most important pharmaceutical products used in many pharmaceutical, cosmetic and health industries, this study was done for simultaneous evaluation the effect of planting date and method and different biological and chemical fertilizers on some phytochemical characteristics of Iranian Ox-Tongue in Mashhad conditions.  

A split split plots experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted in 2011-2013 growing seasons, in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Two different planting dates (10 March 2011 and 4 April 2011), three different types of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers, as mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae), biosulfur, chemical fertilizer and control and two different types of planting methods (direct seeding and transplanting) assigned to main plots, sub plots and sub-sub plots, respectively.  

The results showed that the highest dry flower yield obtained in conditions of mycorrhiza application in March planting date and direct seeding. Application of mycorrhiza, biosulfur and chemical fertilizer in conditions of transplanting and March planting date increased seed yield 45, 42 and 35%, respectively. In April planting date antioxidant activity in direct seeding was more than transplanting. Application of mycorrhiza and biosulfur increased antioxidant activity 18 and 35% in direct seeding and 20 and 18% in transplanting compared to control, respectively. Mycorrhiza in April planting date increased total anthocyanin 28 and 27% in direct seeding and transplanting compared to control, respectively.  

In general, according to the results of this research, the planting method of direct seeding in March and application of ecological inputs of mycorrhiza and biosulfur is recommended to improve the yield and qualitative characteristics of Iranian Ox-Tongue.

In order to evaluate the effect of irrigation, humic acid and mycorrhiza application on morphological traits, yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of cotton, an experiment was carried out as a factorial split-plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of Islamic Azad University of Birjand, Iran in 2016. Three irrigation levels (40, 70 and 100 percent of plant water requirement) were as the main plot and the combination of two mycorrhiza levels (non- application and application) and two humic acid levels (0 and 10 L. ha-1) were considered as sub-plot. The results showed that with reducing the supply of cotton water requirement from 100 to 40 percent significantly reduced plant height, stem diameter, branch number of main stem, seedcotton yield and biological yield by 29.6, 31.8, 48.3, 68.7 and 60.5, respectively. However, the water use efficiency for seedcotton production in the treatment of 70 percent water requirement supply was significantly higher (19.2 and 44.5%, respectively) than treatments of 100 and 40 percent water requirement supply. Also, application of mychorhiza significantly increased the plant height, stem diameter, branch number of main stem, seedcotton yield and biological yield, water use efficiency for seedcotton and biomass production by 10.9, 12.5, 30, 48, 26.8, 48.8 and 24.8%, respectively. In addition, application of 10 L. ha-1 humic acid significantly increased the plant height, stem diameter, branch number of main stem, seedcotton yield and water use efficiency for seedcotton production by 9.9, 9.4, 14.2, 23.5 and 20.7%, respectively. In general, the results showed that the use of mycorrhiza and humic acid decreases the negative effects of water deficit stress, especially in moderate stress conditions. Considering the water use efficiency and cotton yield, it is possible to consider the treatment of moderate water stress and mycorrhiza application for the cultivation of this plant in Birjand.

To improve crops productivity under drought stress conditions, not only proper management of inputs in time, amount and form, but also the understanding of important physiological processes and defense mechanisms are required to avoid drought stress. Most plant species have the ability to form a symbiosis relationship with the Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. AMF could increase growth and yield of plants under water stress, and it is one of the most important biological fertilizers which can be used in mycorrhizal and Azospirillum fields. Research results have shown that mycorrhizal and Azospirillum fungi can moderate the adverse effects of drought stress in plants. One of the most important effects in terms of drought stress is changing the levels of some hormones in plant such as acetic acid and indole acetic acid. Other effects are direct absorption of water by fungal hyphae in soil and its transfer to the host plant, increasing leaf gas exchange, photosynthesis rate as well as enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes in corn, excellent nitrate and phosphorus assimilation. In addition, extend the water absorption by increasing the leaf water hydration, leaf photosynthesis activity, osmotic regulation and changes in cell membrane flexibility. Hence, the current study was aimed to evaluate chemical fertilizers (nitrogen + phosphorus) and biological fertilizers (Azospirillum and mycorrhizal fungi) effects on water deficit stress on morpho-physiological traits and yield of evening primrose at different experimental stations (Tehran and Varamin regions).

Two experiments were conducted at two experimental stations in Tehran and Varamin in 2014 and 2015. Experiments were conducted in a split factorial layout within a randomized complete block design with three replications. Three irrigation regime treatments (IR 50 % FC, IR 40 % FC and IR 30 % FC; 50, 40 and 30 percent of field capacity) were randomized to the main plots. Subplots were consisted of factorial combinations of three chemical fertilizers (CF 0, CF 50 % and CF 100 %: no-application, 50 and 100 percent of nitrogen + phosphorus needed by plant) as well as four biological fertilizers (“-M and –Az” and “+M and +Az”: non-inoculated and inoculated with mycorrhizal and Azospirillum).

Water stress (moderate and severe) reduced plant height, shoot dry weight, leaf area index, seed yield, phosphorus content and relative water content. However, the highest water use efficiency was obtained at moderate water deficit stress. In addition, the highest root dry weight, root ratio shoot dry weight and catalase were obtained at severe water deficit stress. The application of chemical fertilizers and biological fertilizers in all cases mitigated the negative effects of water deficit stress on plant height, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, root ratio shoot dry weight, leaf area index, seed yield, phosphorus content, catalase, relative water content and water use efficiency traits. Water use efficiency of evening primrose increased with moderate water deficit, application of chemical (Nitrogen + Phosphorus) and biological (mycorrhizal fungi and Azospirillum) fertilizers.

 The compelling results of this study revealed that the inoculation mycorrhizal and Azospirillum could improve evening primrose growth under water deficit stress. Results showed that the application of biological fertilizers can improve evening primrose growth under drought stress. Moreover, mycorrhiza symbioses can increase absorption of moisture and nutrients, reduced irrigation requirements, enhancement drought resistance, more access to food in new places, production of thinner roots, increase root length and nitrogen fixation, which lead to reduction of drought detrimental effects.

In order to evaluate the effect of different bio-fertilizer on agronomical traits and photosynthesis pigments of linseed under irrigation cut-off condition a farm experiment carried out as split plot base on randomized complete block design with three replication at research field of Yasouj university in 2017. Irrigation regimes at three levels, full irrigation, irrigation cut-off at beginning of flowering until beginning of podding, irrigation cut-off at beginning of podding to end of maturity and bio-fertilizer application at four levels as mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi, Phosphate Barvar2, mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi+Phosphate Barvar2 and non-application of bio-fertilizer were considered as the main and the sub plots, respectively. Results showed that the lowest grain and oil yield (93.7 and 32.9 g.m-2) and the lowest  capsule numbers per plant, seed numbers per capsule and 1000 seed weight and also the highest seed protein percent were achieved from irrigation cut-off at  beginning of podding to end of maturity. Application of mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi + Phosphate Barvar2 comparison with non-application of bio-fertilizer increased capsule numbers per plant, grain and oil yield, and protein percent by 25.5, 26.5, 33.1 and 17.4 percent respectively. Use of mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi + Phosphate Barvar2 under irrigation cut-off at beginning of podding to end of maturity increased leaf carotenoid content significantly in seed filling stage sampling. Also in full irrigation condition at beginning pooding stage sampling, Use of mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi + Phosphate Barvar2 increased leaf chlorophyll content significantly.

In order to study the effect of mycorrhiza fertilizer application on the growth and yield of linseed in intercropping with fenugreek, a field experiment was conducted at research farm of Yasouj University, agricultural college in 2017. Experimental arrangement was factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications and 15 treatments. The experimental factors were application of biofertilizer in three levels as non- bio fertilizer application (control), application of mycorrhiza fungus Funneliformis mosseaeand Rhizophagus irregularis species and cropping system in five levels, linseed sole cropping, fenugreek sole cropping and intercropping of linseed- fenugreek with ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1. The results showed that the yield of linseed and fenugreek increased under the influence of mycorrhiza bio fertilizer. Also in between the cropping systems the highest grain yield of both linseed (233 g .m-2) and fenugreek plants (221.6 g.m-2) achieved from sole cropping systems. The highest seed oil percent (41.27%) of linseed was found in 1:1 ratio of linseed-Fenugreek intercropping with the application of Rhizophagus irregularis mycorrhiza fungus. Land equal ratio (LER) in all experimental intercropping system was higher than one that indicating the beneficial effects of linseed intercropping with Fenugreek compared to sole cropping of each. Based on the results, the cultivation ratio of one row of fenugreek: one row of linseed with Funneliformis mosseaemycorrhiza fungus application can be introduced.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a source of strong, natural and free of calorie sweetener that is mainly used in industries and pharmacy. With respect to the importance of this plant, extracting sweetening compounds from this demands production of considerable biomass. Therefore, the effects of mychorrhizal fungus on some characteristics of Stevia’s root organ were studied in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized blocks with 4 replications conducted in a greenhouse at Mohghegh Ardebili University in 2014. The first factor included Imma & Angel and Novell nutrient solutions; the second factor included the Planting bed that consisted of Leaf composts vermicompost, and Peat and perlite, and finally, third factor included the inoculation with mychorrhizal fungus and control treatment. The results showed that the highest percentage of root colonization with mycorrhizal was associated with the Novella nutrient solution and vermicompost planting bed, the maximum length of myrrhizae roots and dry weight of the mycorrhizal roots of the Imma & Angel solution and the vermicompost planting bed. In addition, Novell in vermicompost planting bed yielded the largest Leaf dry weight, root volume, root surface and root length after inoculation with mychorrhizal fungus. The largest, root dry weight was observed in case of Imma & Angel solution in vermicompost medium (inoculated with mychorrhizal fungus).

Anethum graveolens L. commonly known as Dill, is an annual medicinal plant.Dill seeds are widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. In order to investigate the effect of AMF and two plant growth promoting rhizobactria native to Ahvaz soil, on growth and flowering of Anethum graveolens L., this experiment was done based on randomized complete block design with five treatment and four replications, during the 2015-2016 in the farm of agriculture college of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. The PGPRs were Entrobacter cloace R13, Entrobacter cloace R33, the Mycorrhiza was mix of three species (Glomuse mosseae, G. intraradices, G. etunicatum) that compare with chemical fertilizers (NPK) and control (no fertilizer). The result of this experiment showed significant difference in treatment (p≤0.01). Mean comparison of treatment effects showed that E. closea R13had significant effect on most of parameters. The most increase in flower number, capitol fresh weight, capitol diameter, leaf number, stem branches, had happened in this treatment, that it has no significant difference in most parameters with E.closea R33. Also the best result in leaf phosphorus and nitrogen content, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids content, was obtained by PGPRs. Dill plant inoculated with E. closea R13 showed better growth and yield compare to control and chemical, but was not as weel as E. closea . The PGPRs in comparison with chemical fertilizers, had positive effects on Dill plant and increased the growth parameters and yield, and could be replace with chemical fertilizers.

In recent years, the effect of ecological inputs on soil properties and plant growth characteristics has received renewed attention. Although the utilization of mineral fertilizers could be viewed as the best solution in terms of plant productivity, this approach is often inefficient in the long-term in tropical ecosystems due to the limited ability of low-activity clay soils to retain nutrients. Biofertilizer is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, as applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Biofertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorous and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth-promoting substances. Biofertilizers can be expected to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Humic substances are a group of heterogeneous molecules that are bonded together by weak forces; therefore, they have a high chemical stability. This material included of 65 to 80 percent of total soil organic matter. Humic acid influences soil fertility through its effect on the water-holding capacity of the soil. Humic acids make important contributions to soil stability and soil fertility leading to exceptional plant growth and micronutrient uptake. Mycorrhiza arbuscular fungi are other coexist microorganisms that improves soil fertility, nutrients cycling and agroecosystem health. Mycorrhizal fungi are the most abundant organisms in agricultural soils. Many researchers have pointed to the positive roles of mycorrhizal fungi on plants growth characteristics. Echium amoenum is a wild perennial herb and known in Iran as Ox-Tongue. It is one of the important medicinal plants in Iranian traditional medicine. Petals of Iranian Ox-Tongue have been advocated for a variety of effects such as demulcent, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, especially for common cold, anxiolytic, sedative and other psychiatric symptoms including obsession in folk medicine of Iran. Despite of many researches on the effect of organic acids and biofertilizers on different crops, information on the effects of these factors for many medicinal plants is scarce, therefore, in this study effect of eco-friendly inputs in cultivation of Echium amoenum in conditions of Mashhad was studied. In order to evaluate organic acids, plant growth rhizobacteria and different species of mycorrhiza on yield and yield components of Iranian Ox-Tongue (Echium amoenum), a split plots experiment in time based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted in 2011-2014 growing seasons, in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Seven different types of soil amendments and biofertilizers concluded humic acid, fulvic acid, Nitroxin® (containing Azotobacter spp. And Azospirillum spp.), Biophosphorous® (containing Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp.), Biosulfur® (containing Thiobacillus spp.), Mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae), Mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices), and no fertilizer as control and agronomic years (2 and 3 agronomic years) assigned to main and sub plots, respectively. The results showed that the highest dry flower yield obtained in humic acid treatment. Humic acid and fulvic acid increased seed weight per plant 38 and 25% and seed number per plant 19 and 17% compared to control, respectively. Fulvic acid, nitroxin, biophosphorous, biosulfur, mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae) and mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) increased dry flower yield 27, 20, 4, 26, 30 and 28% compared to control, respectively. The highest flower and seed harvest index obtained in mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) and humic acid treatments, respectively. It seems that different species of mycorrhiza improved morphological characteristics and yield of Echium amoenum due to provide better conditions to absorption and transportation of nutrient to the plant. It has been reported that organic acids provided favorable conditions for plant growth and development through improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, therefore, it can be concluded that improvement of most of studied traits in the present study were due to use of organic acids. In general, the findings of this research showed that application of ecological inputs, while increasing yield and yield components of Iranian Ox-Tongue, can reduce dependence on chemical inputs and their environmental risks and can be used to develop sustainable agriculture and protect the health of the environment.

This factorial experiment was done as a complete randomized block design with three replications at Urmia University in two years (2016 and 2017). Experimental treatments included once supplemental irrigation and dry farming as the first factor and application of biofertilizers in eight levels, Control (non-application of fertilizer), Mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizophagus intraradices), Azotobacter, Thiobacillus, Azotobacter+mycorrhiza (R. intraradices), Thiobacillus+mycorrhiza (R. intraradices), Azotobacter+ Thiobacillus, Azotobacter+Thiobacillus+Mycorrhizal fungus (R. intraradices)} were the second factor. The results showed that supplementary irrigation increased the number of pods per plant, seed phosphorus content and leaf relative humidity. The high percentage of potassium and protein were obtained in farming condition. Also, the number of pods per plant, the percentage of phosphorus, potassium and protein content of seeds and leaf relative humidity increased significantly due to the application of biological fertilizers. Thus, the combined application of mycorrhizal + Azotobacter treatment increased the number of pods per plant, the percentage of phosphorus, potassium and protein of seeds and content of leaf relative humidity by 15.55%, 34.25%, 20.22%, and 17.04%, respectively, as compared to the Control. Maximum colonization percentage (63.45%), biological yield (4986.5 kg.ha-1), grain yield (1873.29 kg.ha-1) and protein yield (503 kg.ha-1) were obtained under supplementary irrigation and combined application mycorrhizal fungus and Azotobacter. Therefore, according to the findings of this research, the combined use of biological fertilizers to increase yield and maintain long-term production in an Agroforestry system under rain-fed conditions can be desirable for sustainable agriculture.

In order to study the effects of mycorrhizal fungi and biofertilizers on yield and yield components of red bean under water stress conditions, this experiment was conducted as split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Agriculture Research Station of Yasouj University. Irrigation as the main plot at three levels, without irrigation cut, irrigation cut off at the beginning of flowering to the start of podding, and irrigation cut off at the beginning of the podding to the maturity, and biological fertilizers as the sub plot at four levels as control, use of Phosphate Barvar2, use of Mycorrhiza and the combined use of them were used. The highest and lowest leaf area index, seed number per pod and biological yield were obtained in treatments without irrigation cutting and irrigation cutting at flowering to podding stage, respectively. The highest number of seeds per pod (3.91), leaf area index (3.29) and biological yield (6973.99 kg.ha-1) were observed in the combined application of mycorrhiza and Phosphate Barvar2 and the lowest, respectively as 3.06, 2.71 and 572.77 kg.ha-1 was achieved in the control. Mean comparison interaction of irrigation and biofertilizer on grain yield showed that in all three levels of irrigation, the highest and lowest of grain yield related to the combined application of mycorrhiza and Phosphate Barvar 2 and control (non biological fertilizer) respectively. The results showed that the use of mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate solubilizing bacterium reduced the effects of water stress by irrigation cuttings in red beans.

The effect of mycorrhiza and foliar application of Zinc Boron Potassium elements on agronomic characteristics and quality of tobacco was studied at Marivan- Bilo tobacco field during 2014- 2015. The experiment was split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor with two levels of inoculation by mycorrhiza (Glumus interaradices) including control (no inoclution) and inoclution by mycorrhiza and subplots were foliar application of micro and macro elements in 5 levels including control as distilled water, Zinc, Boron, Potassium, Zinc Boron Potassium. The results showed that in middle leaf of plant some traits such as leaf fresh and dry weight and in upper leaf, leaf cash were decreased significantly. Mean comparison of lower leaf side were obtained that the maximum value of leaf dry weight were achieved by foliar application of zinc. Also in middle leaf, the maximum values of leaf dry weight were obtained by Boron and also the maximum leaf fresh weight by zinc. Finally in upper leaf, the maximum dry weights and leaf cash were affected by Potassium foliar application.

World population increasing need for food have prompted the rapid development of chemical fertilizer technology and also consumed them as a source of nutrition for the food production. Recently, chemical fertilizer consumption in conventional agro-ecosystems imbalanced soil nutrient, declined quantitative and qualitative crop yields, and polluted water and soil. Chemical fertilizers provide crop nutrients need in the short time, and thus farmers had forgotten long-time soil fertility and its controlling processes by using these fertilizers. Hence, ecological and low input farming systems can be considered as a suitable replacement for traditional systems, and they can sustain production systems and maintain environmental health. In order to reduce the pollution caused by the use of chemical fertilizers and the restoration of agro ecosystems, along with the reduction of the dependence on non-renewable resources used in the production of fertilizers, the use of fertilizers that are derived from the environments known as an alternative. It seems that with good and proper management of biological and organic fertilizers, we can provide better nutritional conditions for the plant, stepping in the path of regeneration of agroecosystems and sustainable agricultural development. Therefore, in this experiment, the effect of biological, manure and chemical fertilizers on the growth characteristics of anise plant has been studied. It seems that the information obtained from such experiments can increase the economic efficiency of producers as a means to develop agricultural policies that are consistent with the environment.

In order to study the effects of single and combined applications of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers on growth indices of Anise, a field experiment was conducted with 15 treatments based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2011. Treatments were: (1) Mycorrhiza (Glomusin traradices), (2) Mycorrhiza + Cow manure, (3) Mycorrhiza+Vermicompost, (4) Mycorrhiza + Compost, (5) Mycorrhiza + Chemical fertilizer, (6) Biosulfur (Thiobacillus sp.), (7) Biosulfur + Chemical fertilizer, (8) Biosulfur + Cow manure, (9) Biosulfur + Vermicompost, (10) Biosulfur + Compost, (11) Cow manure, (12) Vermicompost, (13) Chemical fertilizer (NPK), (14) Compost and (15) Control. Plant thinning and weeding were carried out in two stages of four and six leaves of anise, and finally the plant density reached 66 plants per square meter. Due to the adverse effects of chemical pesticides on medicinal plants, weed operation was carried out manually by the worker on several occasions. During the growing season, in order to determine the grow trend and leaf area of the anise, the sampling was started from 25.05.2011 at intervals of 15 days until the end of the growing season. The leaf area was determined by the Leaf Measurement System Area (I-COR model) and then leaf area index and other growth indices were calculated. At the same time as the plants were matured and yellowed on first of July, after removing the marginal effect, the biomass of the whole Anise plant was harvested at an area equal to 5 square meters, and after drying in open air, seed yield and dry matter were determined. Data were analyzed, with SAS Ver. 9.1 and MINITAB Ver. 16 statistical softwares. Duncan multiple test was used to compare the means at a probability level of 5%. Figures also were drawed with Excel Ver. 11 M.S office.

The results indicated that the highest (2.4) and the lowest (1.35) leaf area index (LAI) were shown in combination of Mycorrhiza + Chemical fertilizer and compost treatments, respectively. The highest dry matter production (DM) (348.744 g.m-2) and crop growth rate (CGR) (14.42 g.m-2.day-1) were resulted from combination of biosulfur+vermicompost treatment. Compost and control treatments produced the lowest DM (200 g.m-2) and CGR (4.93 g.m-2.day-1), respectively.

In generally, the results revealed that the application of organic and biological fertilizers particularly mycorrhiza and biosulfur had a significant effect on improving the growth indices of anise. Furthermore, the combined application of organic and biological fertilizers had higher positive effects on growth index than their single application

To evaluate the effect of different soil amendments on the yield and nutrient uptake of Salsola plant in the dry bed of Urmia Lake, an experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replications in the 2013-2014 time period. These treatments included mycorrhiza usage, sand in the seed bed, plastic in the depth of 70 cm, plastic in the depth of 70 cm Mycorrhiza, application of animal manure to improve the soil pH, sand Mycorrhiza, treatments, animal manure mycorrhiza, and control without consuming any materials. The results of data variance analysis indicated the difference between treatments in terms of quantitative and qualitative studied traits. Comparison of means by Tukey method showed that the effects of all treatments on the grain yield, 1000 grain weight, harvest index, and absorption of micro nutrient and macro nutrient elements in the grain were significant. Mean comparison also showed that the highest grain yield belonged to animal manure and animal manure ㌧⢮롢 fertilizer treatments, while the least one its belonged to plastic and sand treatments. Also, the nutrients absorbed in the animal manure and animal manure mycorrhiza treatments were more than those in others. Overall, Salsula plant can be planted in a lake bed and livestock manure and mycorrhiza can be used to improve the yield.