Effect of sowing date and symbiosis of mycorrhizal fungi on growth indices and yield of forage maize

Biofertilizers include one or more species of high-density soil organisms which are used in sustainable farms with the aim of increasing soil fertility and plant access to nutrients. This experiment was performed to evaluate yield and growth indices of maize at different sowing dates under the influence of mycorrhizal fungi.

The experiment was conducted in the research farm of Kurdistan University in 2017 as a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors included mycorrhizal fungi at four levels including (Funneliformis mossea), (Rhizophagus intraradices), (Funneliformis mossea + Rhizophagus intraradices) and without mycorrhiza (control) and sowing date at three levels (6, 16 and 26 July). In this experiment, growth indices and traits related to maize yield were measured.

The results showed that the highest leaf area index, growth rate and dry matter accumulation were obtained on 6 July sowing date and 26 July had the lowest values. The highest values of leaf area index and crop growth rate were related to Rhizophagus intraradices treatment. Application of mycorrhiza increased dry matter accumulation and as a result, maize yield compared to the control treatment. The interaction of mycorrhiza fungus and sowing date caused a significant increase in cob dry weight and biological yield.

The results showed that the combined treatment of 6 July planting date and Rhizophagus intraradices fungus was superior in terms of growth indices, cob and plant dry weight and biological yield.