Journal of Crop Production and Processing

Mendeley  

Zotero  

Alimardani K, Salehi A, Movahhedi Dehnavi M, Yadavi A R, Naghiha R. The Effect of Poultry Manure and Biofertilizers on Photosynthetic Pigments, Total Phenol, Yield Components and Grain Yield of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) in the Yasouj Region. Journal of Crop Production and Processing 2026; 16 (1) :59-74
URL: http://jcpp.iut.ac.ir/article-1-3392-en.html

Extended Abstract:
Background and objectives: Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (buckwheat) is one of the valuable species whose flour is widely used in the production of bread, pasta, and gluten-free products. Due to its high nutritional value and good digestibility, it is considered an excellent option in healthy and balanced diets. Given the increasing consumption, its cultivation has gained significant importance. Increasing crop production, including buckwheat, relies on proper soil nutrient management, achieved through correct nutrient replacement. Combining biofertilizers and organic fertilizers can help promote healthy plant growth, boosting performance while mitigating the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on human health and environment. In order to evaluate the effects of organic and biofertilizers, their interaction and finding appropriate fertilizer combination levels on photosynthetic pigments, total phenol content, yield components, and grain yield of buckwheat under field conditions, this study was conducted for the first time in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. 

Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted as a factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Southwest of Iran in 2022. The first factor was poultry manure applied at four levels: 0, 4, 8, and 12 t ha⁻¹, and the second factor was biofertilizer at seven levels: control, mycorrhiza, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, mycorrhiza + Pseudomonas, mycorrhiza + Azotobacter, and mycorrhiza + Pseudomonas + Azotobacter. The measured variables included photosynthetic pigments, total phenol content, yield components, and grain yield. To determine yield components, 10 plants were randomly selected from the four central rows (excluding edge effects) of each experimental plot, and the average number of inflorescences per plant, grains per inflorescences, grains per plant, and grain weight per plant were recorded. For grain yield determination, plants in the two central rows (0.6 m wide and 2 m long, totaling 1.2 m2) were harvested after excluding edge effects. Samples were dried at 70 ˚C for 48 hours in an oven, weighed, and final grain yield was calculated. 

Results: The results of variance analysis showed that main effect of biofertilizer and poultry manure on chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, total phenol content and interaction effect of biofertilizer and poultry manure on carotenoid content was significant at a 1% probability level. Moreover, the interaction between biofertilizer and poultry manure was significant for yield components and grain yield. Based on the results obtained, the highest total chlorophyll content was obtained from the main effect of poultry manure (1.28 mg/g) and biofertilizer (0.75 mg/g) in the 12 tons/hectare poultry manure treatment and the mycorrhiza + Azotobacter + Pseudomonas treatment, respectively. The main effects of poultry manure and biofertilizers on total phenol content in the aerial parts were significant, with the highest total phenol observed in the 
  
poultry manure treatment of 12 tons/ha and mycorrhiza treatment combined with azotobacter and pseudomonas application, respectively. The comparison of interaction means indicated that the highest number of inflorescences per plant, number of seeds per inflorescence, and grain weight per plant, with values of 32, 8.87, and 7.46 g, respectively, were obtained from the treatments of 12 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure + Pseudomonas, 12 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure + mycorrhiza, and 12 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure + mycorrhiza + Azotobacter. Grain yield was significantly affected by the interaction between poultry manure and biofertilizer, with the highest yield (4087.3 kg ha⁻¹) obtained from the treatment of 12 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure + mycorrhiza + Azotobacter + Pseudomonas. According to the results of this study, the interaction between poultry manure and biofertilizer significantly influenced most yield components and grain yield, with the maximum grain yield achieved from the same combined treatment of 12 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure + mycorrhiza + Azotobacter + Pseudomonas.

Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, evaluation of the effect of poultry manure and biofertilizer on photosynthetic pigments, yield components and grain yield indicated that using poultry manure and biofertilizer increased photosynthetic pigments and total phenol content. In addition to, the increased growth of buckwheat under the combination of poultry manure and biofertilizer led to increased yield components and grain yield, such that, the most traits related to the yield components and grain yield were obtained at the highest levels of combined poultry manure and biofertilizer, indicating the importance of integrated application and synergistic effects of these fertilizers in organic buckwheat production. Therefore, the use of organic and bio fertilizers in this experiment contributed to the healthy and sustainable production of buckwheat.