Some morpho-physiological characteristic of yellow sweet clover in agri-silviculture system

Drought is one of the most important factors in crop production, which its effects might be compensated by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species. Mycorrhizal colonization impacts on the morpho-physiological characteristic of crops. This is done through their role in water and nutrient uptake. Yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis L.) belongs to leguminosae family (Fabaceae). This plant has been used for medicinal reasons, providing food and cover for birds and small mammals. Two-year split-plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the plum (Prunus domestica) orchard (37º62´N and 44º58´E, altitude 1333 m, West Azerbaijan, Urmia, Iran) in 2016 and 2017. Treatments were mycorrhizal fungi species (Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis) and various irrigation systems (rainfed and supplementary). Our results from 2-yr of experiment indicates that the highest (2.21%±0.001) and the lowest (1.84%±0.002) percentage of seed nitrogen were obtained in rainfed system from inoculated (R. irregularis) plants in 2nd year and untreated control plants (in both system) in 1st year, respectively. In both systems, we found increase for %leaf and %leaf ratio to aerial parts in mycorrhizal (F. mosseae) plants compared to non-AMF inoculated plants in 2nd year. In conclusion, the mycorrhizal plants produced a higher percentage of seed nitrogen, %leaf and %leaf ratio to aerial parts as compared with non-mycorrhizal plants.