Effect of mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) and zinc on morphological and agronomic traits of corn (Zea mays L.) under different levels of soil moistures

Effects of mycorrhiza fungi and different levels of zinc on some morphologic and agronomic traits of corn (variety KSC 704) was studied under water deficit stress. The experiment was carried out at research farm of Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, in 2006. The experimental design was a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of three levels of irrigations (100%, 75% and 50% of plant water requirement), inoculation with mycorrhiza fungi at two levels (inoculated and un-inoculated with Glomus intraradices) and zinc sulphate at three levels (0, 25 and 45 kg.ha-1). Results showed that drought stress affected agronomic characteristics and grain yield. The maximum grain yield was produced with an irrigation of %100 crop water requirement. Application of mycorrhiza and zinc sulfate shifted agronomic characteristics and grain yield. Effects of mycorrhiza and zinc sulfate interactions increased grain yield. Effects of irrigation, mycorrhiza and zinc sulfate interactions affected grain yield too. However, the highest growth of agronomic traits and grain yield were obtained for the treatment of irrigation level (100%) and zinc sulphate (25 kg.ha-1) with mycorrhiza inoculation.