The combined role of mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus fertilizer on nutrient uptake of shoot in barley under rainfed conditions

In order to investigate the effect of mycorrhiza fungi on nutrient uptake of barley in rain fed conditions, a field experiment was carried out in factorial analysis based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the farm station of Sarablah Agricultural Research Center, Ilam during 2019-2020 cropping season. Experimental factors were four barley cultivars (Mahali, Mahoor, Khoram, and Fardan) and fertilizer application including: control (without fertilizer application and mycorrhizal fungi), 50% P chemical fertilizer recommended based on soil test (25 keg/ha), mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae, Glomus etunicatum, and Rhizophagus irregularis), mycorrhizal fungi along with 50% P chemical fertilizer, and 100% P chemical fertilizer as recommended. Results indicated that interaction between cultivar and fertilizer sources had significant effect on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, and manganese. Interaction of Fardan cultivar and mycorrhizal fungi + 50% phosphorus fertilizer resulted in the highest nitrogen (11.1%), phosphorus (1.19%), potassium (3.92%), magnesium (0.292%), iron (136.5 mg.kg-1) manganese (65.8 mg.kg-1), and copper (65.71 mg.kg-1) in leaves. According to the obtained results, in the rain fed conditions, the new cultivar Fardan is recommended with mycorrhizal fungi along with 50% phosphorus fertilizer given the high concentration of high macro elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium) and micro elements (iron, manganese, and copper) and the role of these elements in plant growth and photosynthesis