Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Ph.D. Graduate in Agrotechnology, Crop Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, East Azerbaijan, Iran; haghanii72@gmail.com
2
Department of Plant production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, university of maragheh
10.22034/saps.2025.65740.3337
Abstract
The application of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has shown potential to mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress and improve plant performance. This study aimed to evaluate the combined application of biochar and AMF on the phytochemical traits and yield of lavender under varying levels of drought stress.
This experiment was conducted in the spring and summer of 2023 in a greenhouse at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran. The factorial experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The factors included drought stress at three levels (90% of field capacity as the control, 60% of field capacity as moderate drought stress, and 30% of field capacity as severe drought stress) and four fertilizer treatments (control without fertilizer, biochar, AMF inoculation, and combined application of biochar + AMF).
The combined application of biochar and AMF significantly increased soluble carbohydrates, soluble proteins, ascorbic acid, and relative water content compared to severe drought stress without fertilizer. Under moderate drought stress, the combined treatment improved essential oil content by 57%, anthocyanin content by 284%, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and polyphenol oxidase, compared to the control.
The simultaneous application of biochar and AMF is a promising and sustainable strategy to enhance phytochemical and functional traits, offering a practical solution to mitigate the impacts of drought stress on medicinal plants such as lavender in arid and semi-arid regions.
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