Investigating the effect of biofertilizers on growth indices of maize (Zea maze) in lead (Pb) contaminated soils

In order to investigate the effect of biofertilizers on growth characteristics of maize (Zea mays L.) in lead contaminated soils, a experiment was conducted in a greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture, Zanjan University in 2015, Factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) in 3 Replication. The treatments included soil contamination levels of lead (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg / kg soil), and inoculation with different bio-fertilizers was including phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Glomus museae mycorrhiza and the Glomus Intardis mycorrhiza. The measured factors included: leaf chlorophyll index, plant height, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, and phosphorus and potassium of root and shoot. The results indicated that application of bio-fertilizers significantly increased leaf chlorophyll index, plant height, potassium, phosphorus, and weight of root and shoot significantly compared to control treatment. Glomus fungus and + solubilizing bacteria (M + P) improved the leaf chlorophyll content and plant height by 11.93% and 21.89%, respectively. With increasing levels of soil contamination to lead, leaf chlorophyll index significantly decreased. In general, the results showed that soil inoculation with biological fertilizers can be reduce the harmful effects of lead in plant growth.