The effect of mycorrhiza on catalase enzyme activity and growth and qualitative characteristics of Lady's mantle (Lallemantia royleana) under deficit irrigation

In order to investigate the effect of mycorrhiza on catalase enzyme activity and growth and qualitative characteristics of Lady's mantle (Lallemantia royleana) under deficit irrigation, experimental based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) was conducted with three replications at Research Farm of the Agricultural College of Shahed University in 2018 and 2019. Experiment treatments included three irrigation regimes (30%, 60% and 90% depletion of available soil water) and mycorrhiza fertilizer (inoculation and non-inoculation). Germination percentage and germination rate, catalase enzyme activity, grain yield, biomass and seed qualitative characteristics decreased by increasing water deficit. The maximum resistance and best responses of plants observed to 60%irrigation regime.  Mycorrhizal inoculation had a significant positive and increasing effect on the catalase enzyme activity, germination traits and qualitative characteristics of Lady's mantle compared to those of non-inoculation plants. The lowest growth, yield, and catalase enzyme activity and qualitative characteristics were observed in non-inoculation plants at 90%. Plants inoculated had more percentage germination (100%), germination rate, seed yield (1333.75 kg / ha), chlorophyll content, percentage of mucilage, phosphorus seed oil and catalase enzyme activity under 60% depletion available soil water compared to non-inoculated plants under other irrigation regimes. Therefore, it can be concluded that Lady's mantle has shown a positive response to symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi under drought stress.