Bio-fertilizer Improves Physio-biochemical Characteristics and Grain Yield of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under Drought Stress

Abstract

Water shortage can affect growth and productivity of safflower. Application of beneficial soil microorganisms as an alternative for chemical fertilizers is effective approach to improve environment health and soil productivity as well as plant growth and development. This study was conducted as a split plot experiment (using RCB design) in field conditions to evaluate the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on some physiological and biochemical traits of safflower under water stress in 2016. Results indicated that some enzyme activities such as SOD, CAT, GPX and MDA were induced under water stress conditions. Moreover, dityrosine, proline and ABA contents were also enhanced under water deficit condition. In contrast, water stress negatively affected the LWC, Fv/Fm, plant biomass, grain yield, oil and protein percentage and grain yield. However, application of biological fertilizers especially Azotobacter + Azospirillum positively improved those traits.