Effects of biochar and native and non-native Mycorrhizal Fungi on growth, biomass and some morphological and physiological characteristics of two Parsley cultivars under greenhouse

The use of biochar and mycorrhizal fungi has positive effect on soil fertility, crop production, increasing of carbon sequestration, reduction of greenhouse gas sublimation, improvement of nutrient utilization efficiency, stimulation of soil microorganism growth, production of growth promoting hormones, as well as increasing of plant tolerance to environmental stress. However, their effects depend on soil characteristics, plant species and the type of raw material used in the production of biochar. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of biochar (derived from residues of essential oil extraction of Satureja khuzistanica) and mycorrhizal fungi (Native and non-native) and their interactions on growth, biomass and some morphological and biochemical characteristics of two Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) cultivars in greenhouse conditions.

A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in the greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University. The first factor was Parsley cultivars (crispum and neapolitanum). Application of biochar at three levels (0, three and six percent of soil weight) was used as the second factor. While, application of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in three levels (Control, native mycorrhiza and non-native mycorrhiza) was consider as the third factor. Plant height, plant width, leaf number, leaf length and width, petiole length and diameter, crown diameter, distance between leaflets, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, root length and volume, electrolyte leakage, relative water content as well as chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and mycorrhizal colonization were measured. The data obtained from the experiment was analyzed using Minitab software. Mean comparison was performed using LSD test method at 0.05.

The Results showed that biochar application up to 3% increased plant height, plant width, leaf length and width, leaf number, petiole diameter, root volume, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, content of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, and colonization rates in both parsley cultivars. However, application of higher amount of biochar had no positive effect on these traits. Maximum of plant height (31.49 cm), plant width (47.60 cm), leaf length (18.68 cm), leaf width (19.23 cm) and petiole diameter (0.080 mm) was observed in the treatment of mycorrhizal (non-native) fertilizer which had no significant difference with the native mycorrhizal. However, application of non-native mycorrhizal fertilizer increased growth and biomass of parsley in compare to the sterilized control soil treatment. In comparison between cultivars, Crispum showed higher growth and biomass. In general, the highest shoot dry weight and total chlorophyll b content (62.02 g, 11:40, 18.43 mg / g fresh weight, respectively) belonged to Crispum cultivar under native mycorrhizal with 3% biochar application. The highest fresh and dry weights of root (70.74 and 18.68 gr, respectively) were observed in neapolitanum cultivar using native mycorrhiza and biochar 3%.

In this study, the biochar application up to 3% increased the growth and biomass of parsley cultivars. However, no significant differences were observed between the native and non-native mycorrhizal treatments. It can be concluded that the application of common mycorrhizal fertilizers in non-sterilized soils will not affect the growth and yield of parsley. Therefore, the production of mycorrhizal fertilizers from native mycorrhizal fungi in each region is recommended for effective use. Overall, the crispum cultivar showed higher growth and yield, so its cultivation is recommended.