Investigation of biochar and mycorrhizal symbiosis in reduction water stress in corn (Zea mays L.)

In order to study evaluation the effects of biochar and mycorrhizal symbiosis application on reduction water stress in corn a field experiment was carried out a split split plot arranged in complete randomized blocks design with three replications in Agricultural Research Center of Markazi Province in 2014-2015 crop season, main plots consisted of two level of irrigation, water stress and irrigation (control), subplots consisted of four level of biochar, non-application of biochar (control), application of 7 ton biochar per hectare, 14 ton biochar per hectar, 21 ton biochar per hectare and sub-sub-plot consist of two level of mycorrhiza fungus, non-application of mycorrhiza fungus (control), application of mycorrhiza fungus, evaluated traits consist of row number per ear, seed number per row, seed number per ear, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, chlorophyll a and b and harvest index. Results showed that stress treatment seed number per row, 1000-seed weight and chlorophyll a had significant effect on this traits and in addition stress reduced the traits evaluated. Biochar treatment had only significant effect on 1000-seed weight. Mycorrhiza fungus treatment had significant effect on seed number per row, 1000-seed weight, seed yield and harvest index. Interaction effects of stress and biochar had significant effects on the seed number per ear and 1000-seed weight. So interaction effects of stress and fungus had a significant effect on seed number per row, seed number per ear, seed yield and harvest index and the interaction effects of biochar and fungus had a significant effects on row number per ear. Finally, the triple interaction effects had significant effects on seed number per ear, 1000-seed weight and seed yield. Finally, it was determined that application of third level biochar had the most impact on most traits tested.