Improved Sweet Corn Growth, Yield and rhizosphere Enzymes by Application of Funneliformis mosseae, Piriformospora indica and Yeast Extract

Nowadays, the use of environmental friendly methods such as application of biological elicitors and fertilizer in sustainable and organic agriculture has received considerable attention because of their bioactivity and safety for the environment and especially for humans. This study evaluated the effect of Funneliformis mosseae and Piriformospora indica along with foliar application of the yeast extract on some agronomic traits and activity of soil enzymes in sweet corn was investigated in the field in 2019 and 2020. The experiment was designed as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in two years. Funneliformis mosseae and Piriformospora indica were applied in soil individually and in combination and while the foliar application of the yeast extract at four levels (0, 2, 4 and 8 g/l) was used. The results showed that fungi and foliar spray of the yeast extract increase plant height, 100-seed weight, leaf area index (LAI), plant dry weight and seed yield in both years. The symbiotic relation between fungi and plants increased the protein content and phosphorus in sweet corn seeds. In addition, upon fungi application, soil available phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and urease enzymes in the rhizosphere of the inoculated plant increased significantly. Moreover, the combined use of F. mosseae and P. indica increased available soil phosphorus by 62% and 85% in 2019 and 2020 respectively and alkaline phosphatase was increased by 74.2% (2019) and 80.5% (2020). This research concluded that mycorrhiza and mycorrhizal-like fungi and foliar application of the yeast extract increased the activities of the soil enzymes leading to maintain the soil quality. A promising strategy was introduced to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and consequently increase the quality and quantity of crops with organic and environmentally friendly materials.