Evaluation of growth of corn in the vegetative stage under Contaminanted soil conditions by applaying sulfur-containing compounds and thiobacillus bacteria

Investigating the effect of various sources of sulfurous compounds along with the inoculation of Thiobacillus bacteria on corn plants under stress conditions of lead and zinc metals, Factorial experiment of randomized complete blocks design was carried out in the Agricultural Research Greenhouse of Zanjan University in 2021. The treatments include elemental sulfur (0.75, 1.25 and 2 g/kg soil), sulfur with thiobacillus bacteria(biosulfur) (1, 2 and 3 g/kg soil) and potassium sulfate (0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg soil). The results showed traits were significant in the vegetative growth stage in all applied treatments. The treatments increased the amount of chlorophyll, enzymes compared to the control. Then decreased the leaf temperature, Increasing the length of leaf cells. also, it increases the leaf area and leaf production rate in plants. This increase was higher in sulfur treatment with bacteria. But the treatments of 2 grams of elemental sulfur and 1.5 grams of potassium sulfate caused stress in the plant and reduced the amount of traits compared to the control. Also, the plants in contaminated soil were stressed and the amount of the mentioned traits also decreased. However, with the application of treatments, the amount of carotenoid, total protein and peroxidase traits increased, which reduced the stress in plants and increased the amount of traits and growth indicators compared to control in contaminated soil. Sulfur treatment with bacteria, compared to other applied treatments, by activating the enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense system of the plant, causes the plant to tolerate stress and improve plant growth.