Effect of biofertilizers and putrescine on biomass and some physiological and biochemical traits of vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) under rainfed condition

Water limitation is the most severe stress factor limiting plant growth and crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Several strategies have been developed in order to decrease water limitation effects caused by the rainfed condition on plant growth. Among them, the use of putrescine and bio-fertilizers such as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Mycorrhiza play a significant role in yield improvement. Therefore, to study biofertilizers and putrescine’s effect on biomass and some physiological and biochemical traits of vetch (Vicia villosa) under rainfed conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in a research farm at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2019. Experimental factors included biofertilizers (no biofertilizer as control, application of Rhizobium, Mycorrhiza, combined application of Mycorrhiza and Rhizobium, Rhizobium and Azotobacter, Mycorrhiza and Azotobacter, Rhizobium with Mycorrhiza and Azotobacter) and foliar application of putrescine in three levels (water as control, 0.5 and 1mM putrescine). The results showed that both application of Azotobacter with Mycorrhiza and Rhizobium and foliar application of 1 mM putrescine increased catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes activity )37.08, 37.54 and 34.41% respectively (, maximum fluorescence and anthocyanin content )56.94 and 4.57% respectively( compared to no application of biofertilizers and foliar application of putrescine. Also, both application of Azotobacter with Mycorrhiza and Rhizobium and foliar application of 1 mM putrescine increased total biomass by about 56.9% compared to no application of biofertilizer and putrescine. It seems that the application of biofertilizers and putrescine can increase the total biomass of Vica villosa under rainfed conditions due to improving the physiological and biochemical traits.