Effect of azetobacter on growth indices, yield and essence content of two cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) landraces under salinity conditions

In order to investigate the effects of Azotobacter on growth indices, yield and essential oil content of two cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) landraces under salinity conditions, an experiment was carried out in a factorial design arranged as randomized complete block design with three replications in 2015 at the Kashan University. The treatments included two cumin landraces (Ardestān and Mashhad Ardehal), four salinity levels (control, 100, 150 and 200 mili molar Nacl) and two levels of azotobacter (control and seed inoculation). Results showed that salinity and inoculation with bacteria had a very significant effect on germination rate and percentage, radicle length and plumule height. Increased concentrations up to 200 Mm sodium chloride resulted in a significant reduction in germination percentage and germination rate, radicle length, plumule height, grain yield and essential oil yield. According to the results, in both landraces and at all salinity levels, inoculation with bacteria, resulted in a significant increase in chlorophyll a, b, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, grain yield and essential oil yield compared to the control. The Ardestān landrace had the highest chlorophyll a and b, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and essential oil content and tolerated salinity better compared to the Ardehal Mashhad landrace. In salinity conditions, inoculation of seeds with Azotobacter could reduce the negative effects of stress and improve the germination rate, seed yield and essential oil yield. The results of this experiment indicated that Ardestān landrace could be cultivated and used to reduce the effects of salinity due to the inoculation with Azotobacter, and higher grain yield and essential oil yield could be obtained under conditions similar to this experiment.