Combined Application of PGPR and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Seed yield, Macronutrients Uptake and Soil Biological Index in Intercropping Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) with Faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

In order to investigate the seed yield, uptake of macronutrients and some properties of the biological soil indices in intercropping of linseed and faba bean under biofertilizers application, a field experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Iran, during growing season of 2017. The first factor included five intercropping patterns consist of 1 row linseed + 1 row faba bean, 2 rows linseed + 2 rows faba bean,  3 rows linseed + 3 rows faba bean, and solecropping of each crop and the second factor was included control (no fertilizer), and biofertilizers application of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mossea+ Glomus intraradices+ Glomus etunicatum) plus nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria (Azotobacter vinelandii), P-solubilizing bacteria (the combination of Pseudomonas putida and Pantoea agglomerans, respectively), K-solubilizing bacteria (the combination of Pseudomonas koreensis and Pseudomonas vancouverensis,  and sulfur supplier bacteria (containing Thiobacillus, respectively)].The results showed that the effect of cropping pattern had a significant effect on the seed yield, absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium nutrients. The highest seed yield of faba bean (4280 kg.ha-1) and linseed (2230 kg.ha-1) were obtained from solecropping but nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium absorption in intercropping were higher than solecropping of both species. Also, the amount of absorption of these elements in the inoculation with biofertilizer showed a significant increase compared to control (no use of fertilizer).The highest soil microbial respiration, soil microbial biomass and nutrient LER were related to the two rows linseed + two rows of fababean with biofertilizer application. This cropping pattern (2:2) because of the high proportion of equality in the absorption of nutrients and improve the biological soil is recommended.