Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on some vegetative traits and yield of linseed (Linum ussitatissimum L.) under water deficit stress conditions

To evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under water deficit stress on linseed, a field experiment was conducted as split-plot in RCBD design with three replications at the research station of faculty of Agriculture at Shahrekord University in 2013. Water deficit stress at four levels of no stress, mild, medium and severe stress as main factor and inoculation with Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae and no inoculation as sub factor were used. The results showed that the effect of mycorrhiza inoculation and water deficit stress treatment were significant on all the measured traits. Interaction between mycorrhiza and water deficit stress was significant on the plant height and shoot dry weight. Based on the results, both species of Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae significantly increased the grain yield whereas the treatment inoculated with G. intraradces produced maximum (0.080 kg/m2) and the treatment without inculation with mycorrhiza produced minimum (0.063 kg/m2) grain yield. Maximum (0.097 kg/m2) and minimum (0.050 kg/m2) grain yield were obtained in the treatment under water deficit stress and no-stress conditions, respectively.