Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and licorice pulp on morphological and physiological characteristics of Calendula officinalis L.

Simultaneous application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic matter affects the growth and yield of plants. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of Funneliformis mosseae fungus، Licorice pulp and their simultaneous application on the morphological and physiological characteristics of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement in three replications was used. Factors were included 1) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus، (Funneliformis mosseae and control)، 2) four levels of Licorice (0، 5، 10 and 20% (v/v)). Inoculation of pot marigold roots with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus significantly increased plant height، leaf area، shoot dry weight، chlorophyll and flavonoid content، root colonization، and N، P and K uptake of plant. Application of 5 and 10% v/v of Licorice pulp increased plant height، leaf area، shoot dry weight، flavonoid content، and N، P and K uptake of plant. Flavonoid content increased up to 10% v/v of Licorice pulp application. All measured traits except chlorophyll content، root colonization and flavonoid content significantly decreased at the maximum level of Licorice pulp application (20% v/v). Effect of fungus on all measured traits except flavonoid content was higher than Licorice pulp application. A synergistic effect was observed in co-application treatments of Licorice pulp and Funneliformis mosseae. The positive effects of fungus were higher in 10 and 20% v/v levels of Licorice pulp application for measured parameters.