The effect of different biochar types and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms on grain yield and agronomic traits of safflower

n order to study the effect of application of different biochar species and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms on soil enzymatic activity and agronomic traits of safflower during two cropping seasons of 2018 and 2019 in a part of cultivated lands of Sardorood district of Razan, Hamedan province, an experiment as split plots on the basis of randomized complete block design with three replications was implemented. The main factor at 4 levels of biochar including: cow manure, wheat straw, wood biochar and control. The sub factors were phosphate solubilizing microorganisms included the mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus etunicatum and G. mosseae), Bacillus lentus, Pseudomonas fluorescence and control. The results of mean comparison showed that highest number of heads per plant (8.12, 8.14) and the maximum seed weight (24.60 g) were observed in mycorrhizal inoculation treatments and the lowest were in control treatment, also the highest number of heads per plant (8.26) and seed weight (24.18 g) was observed in cow manure biochar treatment. The results of mean comparison showed that the highest biological yield (5454 kg/ha) was obtained in mycorrhizal inoculation treatments. Also, application of other phosphate solubilizing bacteria increased the biological yield of safflower compared to the control treatment.