Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Nano Zinc Oxide on Seed Yield, Na+ and K+ Content of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Salinity Stress

Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate effects of mycorrhiza fungi and nano zinc oxide on agro physiological traits of wheat under salinity stress based on factorial experiment according complete randomized block design with three replications under greenhouse condition at 2014. Treatments included salinity in three levels [no-salt (S₀) or control, salinity 40 (S₁) and 80 (S₂) mM NaCl], two level of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) fungal [no application (M₀), application of mycorrhiza (M₁)] and Nano zinc oxide at three levels [(without nano zinc oxide as control (Zn₀), application of 0.4 (Zn₁) and 0.8 g.lit^-1) (Zn₂)]. Analysis of variance showed significant effect for the soil salinity on seed yield, chlorophyll index, relative water content, stomata conductance, K⁺ content. chlorophyll index, stomata conductance, K⁺ content in plant root were affected by AM fungi and nano zinc oxide application. There was a significant interaction between salinity, AM fungi and nano zinc oxide on Na⁺ content, Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and seed yield. Salinity stress decreased seed yield, chlorophyll index, stomata conductance, and relative water content of wheat. The highest (0.44 g per plant) seed yield was obtained from plants under low salinity level, AMF (Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungal) and 0.8 g.lit^-1nano zinc oxide. The nutrient uptake Na⁺ and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio increased and potassium was decreased with increasing concentration of NaCl in the present study. However, the inoculated with AMF and application of nano zinc oxide significantly increased K⁺ and reduced Na⁺ uptake. Generally, it was concluded that AMF and nano zinc oxide can be as a proper tool for increasing wheat yield under salinity condition.