Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

2 Agronomy Department, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Abstract

This experiment was conducted as split – plot factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications to determine the changes in maize’s seed quality on the parent plant at Jiroft's Nemooneh Field in 1395. The main factor was four levels of fertilizers (NPK) respectively representing the control, 30%, 70%, and 100% of recommended value) and biochar (respectively representing no biochar and biochar application), and two strains of Trichoderma (respectively representing Trichoderma atroviride and Trichodema harzianum) were assigned to sub plot. To assess the quality of maize seed (SC.704 hybrid) produced on the parent plant, seed vigor tests (cold test and accelerated ageing test) and germination test (normal seedling percentage, germination rate, seedling length and weight) were performed. The results showed that utilization of biochar, Trichoderma strains and fertilizer levels significantly affected normal seedling percentage, germination rate, and seedling length dry weight in standard germination, cold and accelerated ageing tests. The highest seed quality based on standard germination, cold and accelerated ageing tests was obtained via application of biochar, fungi Trichoderma (Trichodema harzianum) and 70% of the amount of fertilizer recommended for the region. According to the results obtained from standard germination and seed vigor tests (cold and accelerated ageing tests), using biochar, different fertilizer levels and fungus type leads to enhanced quality of seeds produced on maternal plant in comparison to control.

Keywords

Abdul-Baki, A.A., and J.D. Anders. 1973. Vigor determination in soybean seed by multiplication. Crop Sci. 3: 630-633.
Amini, S., and S.M. Naeini. 2012. Effects of paper mill sludge application on physical properties of an Illicit loess slowly swelling soil with high specific surface area and wheat yield in a temperate climate. J. Agric. Sci. 5(1):295-311.
Beker, B., P. Zambryski, B. Staskawicz., and S.P. Dinesh-K umar. 1987. Signaling in plant microb interactions. J. Agric. Sci. 276: 726-733.
Belanger, N.I., B. Cote, J.W. Fyles, F. Chourchesne., and W.H. Hendershot. 2004. Forest regrowth as the controlling factor of soil nutrient availability 75 years after fire in a deciduous forest of southern Quebec. Plant Soil. 262: 363–372.
Blackwell, P., E. Krull, G. Butler, A. Herbert., and Z. Solaiman. 2010. Effect of banded biochar on dryland wheat production and fertiliser use in south-western australia an agronomic and economic perspective. Aust. J. Soil Res. 48:531-545.
Bornermann, L., R.S. Kookana., and G. Welp. 2007. Differential sorption behavior of aromatic hydrocarbons on charcoals prepared at different temperatures from grass and wood. J. Chem. Ecol. 67 :1033–1042.
Bridle,T.R., and D. Pritchard. 2004. Energy and nutrient recovery from sewage sludge via pyrolysis. Water. Soil Sci. Technol. 50: 169–175.
Briggs, C.M., J.M. Breiner., and R.C. Graham. 2005. Contributions of pinus ponderosa charcoal to soil chemical and physical properties. Soil Sci. Technol 23: 34-45.
Chan, K.Y., and Z.H. Xu. 2009. Biochar - nutrient properties and their enhancement biochar for environmental management: Soil Sci. Technol., 63: 67-81.
Cheng, C.H., J. Lehmann, J.E. Thies, S.D. Burton., and M.H. Engelhard. 2006. Oxidation of black carbon by biotic and abiotic processes. Soil Sci. 37:14-77.
Ghassemi- Golezani, K., and R. Mazloomi- Oskooyi. 2008. Effect of water supply on seed quality development in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Int. J. Plant Prod. 2: 117- 124.
Glaser, B., and W.I. Woods. 2004. (Ed.). (Eds.) Amazonian dark earths: explorations in space and time, springer-verlag. Int. J. Chemosph.  46: 54-67.
Hampton, J.G., and D.M. Tekrony. 1995 Speed of germination-aid in selection and evaluation for seedling emergence and vigor. Crop Sci. 2: 176-177.
 Harman, G.E. 2000. Myths and dogmas of biocontrol changes in perceptions derived from research on Trichoderma harzinum. J. Field Plant Sic. 84: 377-393.
Harman, G.E. 2006. Overview of mechanisms and uses of Trichoderma spp. Int. J. Phytopathol. 96: 190-194.
Harman, G.E. 2010. Overviw of mechanisms and uses of Trichoderma spp. Int. J. Phytopathol. 94: 163-172.
Husk, B., and J. Major. 2011. Biochar commercial agriculture field trial in Québec, Canada – year three effects of biochar on forage plant biomass quantity, quality and milk production. Soil Sci. 65: 23-35.  
International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). 2008. International rules for seed testing. Basserdorf, Switzerland.
Krishnamurti, G.S.R., P.M. Huang., and L.M. Kozak. 1999. Sorption and desorption kinetics of cadmium from soils: Influence of phosphate. Soil Sci. 164(12):235-247.
Laird, D., P. Fleming, B.Q. Wang, R. Horton., and D. Karlen. 2010. Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil. Seed Sci. Technol. 158:436-442.
Lal, R. 2011. Sequestering carbon in soils of agro-ecosystems. Food Policy. 36: S33-S39.
Lehmann, J., J. Gaunt, and M. Rondon. 2006. Biochar sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems – a review. J. Mitiga. Adapta. Strategies. J. Am. Sci. 11: 403–427.
Lehmann, J. 2007. Biology-energy in the black. J. Front. Ecol. Environ. 5:381.
Lehmann, J., C. Czimnik, B. Laird, and S. Sohi. 2009. Biochar for environmental management. Soil Sci. Technol. 15: 183-206.
Liang, B., J. Lehmann, D. Solomon, J. Kinyangi, J. Grossman, B. O'Neill, J.O. Skjemstad, J. Thies, F.J. Luizao, J. Petersen, and E.G. Neves. 2006. Black carbon increases cation exchange capacity in soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70: 1719-1730.
Macdonald, L.M., M. Farrell, L. Van Zwieten, and E.S. Krull. 2014. Plant growth responses to biochar addition: an Australian soils perspective. J. Biol. Fert. Soil. 50: 1035-1045.
Major, J., C. Steiner, A. Downie., and J. Lehmann. 2009. Biochar effects on nutrient leaching. Int. Soil Sci. Technol. 42: 271-284.
Major, J., M. Rondon, D. Molina, S.J. Riha., and J. Lehmann. 2010. Maize yield and nutrition during 4 years after biochar application to a Colombian savanna oxisol. Plant Soi 333:117-128.
Neumann, B., and M. Laing. 2006. Trichoderma spp anally in the quest for soil system molecular form and surface charge along a climosequence. Plant Soil. 72:1598–1610.
Rondon, M., J. Lehmann, J. Ramirez., and M. Hurtado. 2007. Biological nitrogen fixation by common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) increases with biochar additions. J. Biol. Fert. Soil. 43: 99–708.
Scala, F., A. Raio., and M. Lorito. 2007. Biological control of fruit and vegetable diseases with fungal and bacterial antagonists. Trichoderma spp. and agrobacterium. Soil Sci. Technol. 36: 19-27.
Steiner, C., W.G. Teixeira, J. Lehmann, T. Nehls, J.L. Macêdo, V.W.E. Blum., and W. Zech. 2007. Long term effects of manure, charcoal and mineral fertilization on crop production and fertility on a highly weathered Central Amazonian upland soil. Plant. Soil. 291: 275-290.
Zhang, A., L. Pan, G. Hussain, Q. Zhang, X. Zheng., and D. Crowley. 2010. Effect of biochar amendment on yield and methane and nitrous oxide emissions from a rice paddy from Tai Lake plain, China. Agriculture. J. Agric. Crop Sci. 139: 469-475.