The Response of Tobacco to Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Application of Some Micro and Macronutrients

To study the response of tobacco to the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and the application of some micronutrients and macronutrients, an experiment was conducted in Marivan City, northwestern Iran during the 2014-2015 growing season. The experiment used split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was no inoculation and inoculation by arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) while subplots used foliar application of some micronutrients and macronutrients in five treatments: control (distilled water), zinc- boron- (micronutrient), potassium- (macronutrient), and zinc + boron + potassium salts. The results showed that the number of leaves and the leaf dry weight in the middle leaves, and the relative water content in the upper leaves of tobacco were significantly affected by mycorrhizal inoculation. Mycorrhizal inoculation resulted in increased number of leaves and leaf dry weight in the middle leaves and increased relative water content in the upper leaves. Foliar application of micronutrients and macronutrients significantly affected the leaf dry weight in the lower leaves, and the number of leaves and leaf dry weight in both the middle and upper leaves. Mean comparison of the lower leaves showed that the maximum value of leaf dry weight was achieved by foliar application of zinc salts. Also, in the middle leaves, the maximum number of leaves was achieved by application of boron salt; leaf dry weight by application of zinc salt; and finally in the upper leaves, the maximum number of leaves was achieved by application of zinc salt, and leaf dry weight by foliar application with potassium salt.