Effects of tillage systems, salicylic acid and mycorrhizal fungi on photosynthetic pigments and some quality characteristics of maize

Appling different methods to increase seed vigor and seedling establishment of crops are a suitable approach for quantitative and qualitative increasing of crop yield. In order to evaluate the effects of various tillage systems, seed per-treatment and mycorrhizal fungi on some agronomical and physiological traits of maize (Zea mays L), a split plot factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted with three replications in 2014 at Experimental Farm of Shahrood University of Technology. In this experiment, three systems of tillage (conventional, reduced and minimum) were considered as main plots. Seed pre-treatment levels (pretreatment with salicylic acid in 0.5 milimolar concentration and non-treated) and seed inoculation with mycorrhiza (inoculated and non-inoculated) were considered as a subplot factors. The results indicated that there were significant effects of the triple interaction of tillage systems× seed pre-treatment × mycorrhizal fungi on LAI, carotenoid content and grain yield. The interactions of tillage systems × seed pre-treatment were significant on seed protein, leaf relative water and chlorophyll a and b contents. The treatment combinations of conventional tillage×seed pre-treatment × mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased the LAI and maize grain yield. Application of salicylic acid along with mycorrhizal fungi improved the traits, including the protein and chlorophyll a and b contents.