Effect of Biofertilizers (rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi) on Growth Characteristics of Zygophyllum eurypterum

Chemical fertilizers have a devastating impact on soil and the environment when used in seedling production and planting. Conversely, biofertilizers can enhance soil structure and fertility while mitigating the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment. This study aimed to identify an appropriate biofertilizer for Zygophyllum eurypterum, a species that is particularly amenable to arid area restoration. To this end, we conducted an experiments using six different biofertilizer treatments (Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum lipoferum, Flavobacterium F-40, Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Rhizophagus irregularis) and fertilizer-free control in a completely randomized design by cultivation of the plants in the seedling bags with 15 replications. This was done in the spring of 2018, in the research farm of Semnan University. Vegetative growth parameters such as root length, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots, number of leaves, shoot diameter, and total chlorophyll were measured three months after planting. The percentage of root colonization with mycorrhizal fungi was measured at three and six months of age of seedlings. In this context, the maximum length of root (33.40 cm) and shoot (18.20 cm), height (51.30 cm), weight of root (99.94 g) and shoot (473.90 g), number of leaves (58.00), shoot diameter (3.32 mm) and total chlorophyll (74.96) were observed in the treatment by Pseudomonas fluorescens. Symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi was confirmed and it increased root length and plant height. The percentage of root colonization increased over time. Root to shoot ratio was increased by application of Azospirillum lipoferum fertilizer. The results showed that the use of biofertilizers Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azospirillum lipoferum, and Rhizophagus irregularis can be recommended in the production of Zygophyllum eurypterum seedlings.