Integrative Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum with Different Nitrogen Levels on Morphophysiological Responses and Drought Tolerance of Maize (Zea mays L.) ‘SC706’ Under Varying Water Deficit Conditions

Authors

• Nozar Shamohammadi, Department of Agriculture, Fir.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Fars, Iran.
• Mahdi Zare, Department of Agriculture, Fir.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Fars, Iran.Follow
• Korosh Ordookhani, Department of Agriculture, Fir.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Fars, Iran.
• Farshid Aref, Department of Agriculture, Fir.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Fars, Iran.Department of Agriculture, Fir.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Fars, Iran.
• Shahram Sharafzadeh, Department of Agriculture, Fir.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozabad, Fars, Iran.

Publication Date

3-1-2026

Abstract

Under drought stress, soil fertility declines sharply, restricting nutrient availability and reducing plant productivity. This study evaluated the effects of mycorrhiza, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum combined with nitrogen on the morpho-physiological traits of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid SC706 plants under different water deficit conditions. The experiment was conducted at a research field in Fars Province, Iran, over 2 consecutive years (2017–2018, 2018–2019) and applied a split-split plot design based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. It assessed the effects of the 3 biological fertilizers in 4 treatment groups (Control [B1], inoculation with mycorrhiza alone [B2], co-inoculation with mycorrhiza and Azotobacter [B3], and co-inoculation with mycorrhiza and Azospirillum [B4]) with 4 nitrogen levels (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha⁻¹). The morpho-physiological characteristics of maize hybrid SC706 were measured under 4 levels of water deficit stress (30%, 50%, 70%, and 100% field capacity). All yield components exhibited statistically significant variations (p ≤ 0.01), with a notable improvement observed in the second year of the study. This enhancement emphasizes the pivotal role of biofertilizers in promoting and sustaining plant growth under field conditions. The experimental findings demonstrated that the integrated application of mycorrhiza in combination with Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and elevated nitrogen levels (specifically 200 and 300 kg N ha⁻¹) resulted in the most favorable outcomes in terms of yield performance. Such synergistic effects underline the importance of harmonizing chemical and biological inputs in modern agriculture. The integrated use of nitrogen fertilizers alongside plant growth-promoting bioagents, particularly the synergistic trio of mycorrhiza, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum, appears to be a promising and efficient agronomic strategy. This approach not only enhances plant resilience under adverse and stressprone environmental conditions but also contributes to sustainable increases in agricultural productivity.

Recommended Citation

Shamohammadi, Nozar; Zare, Mahdi; Ordookhani, Korosh; Aref, Farshid; and Sharafzadeh, Shahram (2026) "Integrative Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum with Different Nitrogen Levels on Morphophysiological Responses and Drought Tolerance of Maize (Zea mays L.) ‘SC706’ Under Varying Water Deficit Conditions," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 109: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol109/iss2/6