The Physiological Properties of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) in Response to Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphate-solubilizing Bacterium under Irrigation Condition

Abstract

To investigate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate-solubilizing bacterium on physiological properties in lentils under irrigation conditions, a factory trial based on a Randomized Complete Block Design was conducted in two years (2018 and 2019) with three replications at Urmia University. The treatments included the combined and individual application of biofertilizers {Funneliformis mosseae (mycorrhizal fungi), Pseudomonas putida P13 (phosphate-solubilizing bacterium), F. mosseae + P.putida, control in which no biofertilizer was applied} under rainfed condition and once supplementary irrigation. The contents of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and glycine betaine increased by an average of 9.80, 29.36 and 15.31% under rainfed conditions. In dual colonized plants with F. mosseae + P. putida, the contents of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and glycine betaine were substantially reduced. The enzyme activity of catalase, glutathione reductase and the content of glutathione were reduced under rainfed plants. Plants inoculated with F. mosseae + P. putida had higher enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence than plants inoculated with either the fungal or bacterial inoculum. As compared to control, biofertilizer application improved leaf phosphorus, soluble sugars, and forge yield by an average of 24.13, 19.38, and 25.20 % under irrigated conditions and 9.09, 11.08, and 7.68 % under rainfed conditions. Under supplemental irrigation, plants treated with F. mosseae + P. putida demonstrated the greatest increases in leaf phosphorus (by 31.03 %), soluble sugars (by 30.25 %), and forge yield (by 32.09 %). The integrated application of biofertilizers in rainfed conditions can enhance lentil growth and forage yield via enhancing antioxidant activities function, which can be desirable for sustainable agriculture.