Effect of seed inoculation with Mycorrhiza fungi and leaf application of amino acid on some qualitative and herbaceous properties of pot marigold

In order to investigate the Effect of Mycorrhiza fungi  and leaf application of amino acid on some quantitative and herbaceous properties of Calendula officinalis L., a factorial layout has been conducted, based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the field of the research farm of Islamic Azad University, Takestan Branch during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 years. Experimental factors included three species of mycorrhiza fungi (control, Glomus mosseae, G. etunicatum and G. intraradices) and Soren amino acid levels included no foliar application and foliar application in two stages of stem and flowering. The results showed that the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll was maximum when the seeds were inoculated with G. mosseae and showed an increase of 36, 18 and 30% compared to the control, respectively. Foliar application of amino acid caused 6% increase in chlorophyll index and the use of G. mosseae increased this trait by 33%, which indicates a greater effect of mycorrhiza than foliar application of amino acid in increasing this index. Inoculation with mycorrhiza had a positive effect on the carotenoid content of leaves and flowers, so that inoculation of seeds with G. mosseae increased the carotenoid content of leaves and flowers by 21 and 25%, respectively, compared to the control. Foliar application of amino acid and G. etunicatum application caused 13 and 24% increase in flower flavonoids, respectively. The results indicated that the application of mycorrhiza is able to increase the herbaceous properties of Calendula officinalis to increase the growth and production of more secondary metabolites and the presence of amino acids can be effective in meeting the needs of the plant.